Page 59 of Entangled
“Oh? And what might that be?”
I settle on the stool beside hers. “An outing.”
Her gaze darts to the window. “You mean a walk around the property?”
“No, I mean a real outing, Rowan. I want us to go somewhere and experience something new together. Like a date.”
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“You know I don’t leave the house.”
“Yeah, but why?”
“Because I don’t.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“That’s not an answer. Tell my why you imprison yourself here.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I’m just trying to understand you.” I rub the back of my neck. “It’s frustrating that you’ve seen the darkest parts of me, but you can’t give me a simple explana—”
“Nothing about it is simple,” she snaps.
“OK, then spell it out for me.”
“You’re not hearing me, Henry.” Fire flashes in her eyes. “IsaidI don’t want to talk about it, and you’re trying to bulldoze me.”
“I’m not bulldozing you. I’m trying to have a conversation.”
“Like I said, I don’t want to talk about it.”
My chest deflates with a heavy sigh. “Have you always been this stubborn?”
Her nostrils flare. “Safeguarding my mental health does not equate to stubbornness.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Look, I’m sorry. I don’t wanna fight with you. I just thought we could go and actuallydosomething for once.”
“Oh, so you’re already bored with me?” Tears well in her eyes, but she blinks them away. “Sorry I can’t be as interesting as everyone else.”
I run my hand over my face. “Rowan, please don’t cry. Forget I brought it up. I’m sorry I upset you. Netflix is fine. We don’t need to go see the stupid floating lanterns. I just thought it would be festive.”
She stiffens, all the color draining from her cheeks. “I need you to leave.”
I blink. “Huh?”
“Get out.”
“What’s wrong?” If bewilderment could be bottled and sold, I’d be as rich as her.
“I said, get out.” The ice in her tone sends a chill down my spine. “Now.”
“Let’s talk about this,” I begin, moving in for a hug.
Rowan throws her arm out to block me. “Get. Out.”
I stare at her face as tears slide down her cheeks. I don’t know what the fuck set her off, but she’s dead serious. I can’t handle the thought of her being afraid of me, so I need to get the hell out of here, and fast.
