Page 41 of The Challenge

Evan’s eyes fell to my lips, and in that moment, I swore I could taste him. Saliva gathered in my mouth as my nipples hardened. As his breathing became heavier, I started to wonder if he was going to lean in and kiss me. He moved closer, and it scared me, because I didn’t know that I had the willpower to stop him if he did. I fisted my hands to prevent them from lifting to touch his hair like I so desperately wanted to.

He stopped with his face just inches from mine. My heart practically beat out of my chest, and I felt my legs grow weak beneath me. His breaths quickened, and I could feel each one of them on my face. But he suddenly stepped back. “You’d better go,” he murmured, his voice gravelly. His chest heaved.

Despite his words, I felt the truth in every fiber of my being. He doesn’t want me to leave.

And yet I turned around and walked out of that laundry room, leaving all the air in my lungs behind. Even though nothing had happened, everything had happened.

Chapter 15

CHLOE

The morning after Scott and I spent the first night at the other place, I already wished I could leave. The house was nothing like the management company had described it, and it certainly looked nothing like the photos in the listing. No wonder it had become available. I was pretty sure whoever rented it last had abruptly vacated the premises. The thermostat didn’t seem to work, there was mold in the kitchen, and the dishwasher was broken. The state of things around me now metaphorically matched what had been going on in my heart since the moment Scott arrived.

Earlier this morning, I’d gone to the market while he was still sleeping to pick up some things for breakfast. I’d cooked bacon and eggs with toast for us, and we’d just finished eating when Scott brought up Evan.

“What was with the attitude I got from that guy?”

I played dumb. “From Evan?”

“Yeah. Who else? He nearly broke my hand with that handshake. Does he have his sights on you or something?”

I straightened in my seat. “Trust me, Evan doesn’t want me that way.” At least that’s what I’d thought until our laundry room moment yesterday.

“Why do you say that?” Scott pushed.

I decided to be honest. “Because when we were younger, I made a pass at him, and he shot me down.”

“Oh, so you’re the one who’s into him?” Scott huffed. “That’s what you’re trying to say?”

“I did have feelings for him when I was younger. That was a very long time ago, though. Nothing ever happened.”

Scott narrowed his eyes. “You don’t really look like you’re over it. You get all weird and fidgety when you talk about him.”

“He and I were practically kids then. We’re grown-ass adults now, and neither of us asked for that living situation. It just happened. You’re reading into things.”

“Am I? Because you never mentioned that you were living with him. And you haven’t seemed like you wanted me here from the moment I arrived. We haven’t even had sex, and we’ve been apart for weeks.”

“I wasn’t going to have sex with you in a room right next to an eight-year-old’s.”

“And what about last night here?” he challenged.

I twisted my ring around my finger. “I told you, I got my period.”

I’d lied about that. This was not good, and I knew it. Things were close to hitting a boiling point with us.

Scott rolled his eyes. “Okay, aside from that, I’m getting a strong feeling that I somehow interrupted your peace.”

“Being here and handling my mother’s affairs is hardly peaceful for me, Scott.” I couldn’t allow this to go on a second longer. Say it. “But if I’m being honest… I don’t think I can do this with you anymore.” My heart raced as the words poured out. “I can’t maintain this relationship and handle all of the other stuff. I need to be alone right now. And I’m so sorry you came all the way out here, only to have me do this, but I can’t pretend all week with you when this is how I feel.”

His mouth dropped open. “I can’t believe this.”

I let out a breath. “You know we had things to work on even before this. We had our issues. And you’ve always wanted more from me than I can give between my job and what’s happening here in Dry River. That’s stolen a lot of my mental energy. I’m just trying to get ahead of things right now so I don’t waste any more of your time. You deserve someone who can focus on a relationship.”

The color drained from his face. “You’re serious?”

I hesitated. “Yes.”

He pushed his chair back and stood. “Well, there’s no sense in me staying here with you if you don’t want me.”