Page 63 of While You Were Trending

Not for them.

But for me.

Yet here I am, rejecting an apology from a guy who did what he did because he thought it was what was best.

I drop back to the ground, giving myself plenty of distance from him. “I’m sorry,” I force out.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s—it’s not.”

Something rustles in the dark, and I realize he’s offering me a bottle. “Wine?”

“Are you for real right now? I’m still not recovered from Saturday.”

There’s that rusty laugh again. “Couldn’t resist.”

“Asshole,” I mutter.

“Can’t fully shut off the dick.”

There’s a smile in his voice that irritates me.

Like he said, he’s sorry, so it’s over.

“And I won’t steal your coffee mug tomorrow.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lie.

“Still use mine that you gave me right after college.”

Something soft and warm crawls into my heart.

Something warm and unwelcome.

I make a point in my life to be kind whenever I can.

But it doesn’t mean being a pushover.

And it doesn’t mean that I don’t deserve my own time to sort through his explanation.

“It’s a good mug,” I mutter.

“My favorite.”

“If this is you feeling me out, you can stop. I’m not interested.”

“Can a guy just appreciate a mug without having an agenda?”

“Can he?”

He blows out a loud breath. “Let’s hope so.”

My pulse goes from an irritated stroll to a sprint for safety. “What does that mean?”

His extended pause does nothing for the rapid drumbeat of my heart echoing in my ears.

“Everyone always has an agenda,” he finally says. “Even if you don’t mean to.”