Page 46 of Imperfect Match (Imperfect Match 1)
“Why?”
“Because I’m scared!”
“Of what?”
“Of losing you, Reid.” Tears fill my eyes and I swipe at them with the back of my hands. “This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.”
“You haven’t lost me, Wills.”
“Then why have you been ignoring me for three days?”
He folds his arms over his chest. “I was just giving you some space to breathe.”
A sob catches in my chest. “I can’t breathe without you.”
“And I can’t be with you all the time and not want you.” His voice is low and serious. “So we’ve got a problem.”
Crying openly now, I bury my face in my hands and wish he’d put his arms around me. That’s what a friend would do, right?
But instead of embracing me, he sort of rubs one arm like he’s petting a cat. A sad, damp cat. “You should go home, Willow. People are staring. And I should get back to my table.”
I lift my tear-streaked face. “Who is she?” I demand, trying to peek around him to see the woman he was with.
“Someone from work, not that it’s any of your business.”
The remark stings. “Is this your first date with her?”
“It’s not a date. It’s a work thing, and I have to get back to it.”
“Leo said it was a date.”
“Leo can be a fucking idiot sometimes.” He pins me with his gorgeous blue eyes. “And so can you. I don’t want anyone else, Willow. Why can’t you get that through your head?”
With that, he turns around and leaves me alone in the middle of the bar, stranded in an emotional maelstrom. I’m happy he’s not on a date, angry he just insulted me, turned on by his handsome face, torn by his words, and terrified I’ll never feel his arms around me again.
I leave the building and walk home in the chilly drizzle, weeping softly the whole way. I miss him. I ache for him. I need him in my life.
By the time I reach our building, I know what I have to do.
I have to risk it all.
Thirteen
Reid
I’m unlocking my apartment door, ready to let loose on Leo for telling Willow I was on a date, when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Willow: Hey. Are you home?
* * *
Me: Just getting in.
* * *
Willow: Do you have a minute?
* * *
