And I know I’ve fucked up.
Because she’s pissed.
“You’re an ass, Spencer.”
She shoves off the bed, frustration rolling off her in waves.
I smirk, pretending I don’t care. Pretending I’m in control. “Just proving a point, Hawkins. We’re going to do fine.”
But she doesn’t move toward the door.
She folds her arms, eyes burning into me.
“Actually, no,” she says, voice sharp. “We’re not fine.”
I blink. “What?”
“You do this thing,” she continues, stepping closer, challenging me. “This whole fucking thing where you flirt, you touch, you get close—then you pull away. Like none of it ever happened.”
Something twists in my chest.
I keep my face blank. “You’re imagining things.”
She lets out a sharp laugh. “Bullshit. You act like you don’t care, like I don’t get to you at all. But then you do shit like this.” She gestures at the space between us, where the heat still lingers.
I don’t answer.
Because if I do, I’ll say something I can’t take back.
She doesn’t let it go.
“You don’t get to be in my life when it’s convenient for you and then disappear when it’s not, Alfie.”
I inhale sharply. “Tara?—”
“No,” she snaps, shaking her head. “I know you feel something.”
My stomach tightens.
“I know you, Alfie.” Her voice is softer now. “I see you.”
And that’s when it happens.
Something snaps.
I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair.Fuck.
“You think it’s so easy, don’t you?”
Her eyes widen slightly. “What?”
I shake my head, scoffing.
“You just—” I exhale sharply. “You actually believe in all this shit. Love. Soulmates. Forever.”
She blinks.
I let out a dry laugh. “It’s not real, Tara.”
