Page 82 of Run to Me

Pink tinges her cheeks. “I enjoy cooking, and I’m pretty good at it.”

“Then we make a great team.” I hold out my fist to bump knuckles, biting back a grin when she narrows her eyes.

“We’re not doing that,” she says.

“How about a chest bump? Or a slap on the ass?” My teasing earns me a handful of cereal in the face, but I welcome the food fight because she’s laughing right along with me.

After we clean up our breakfast, she gets dressed and makes a beeline for the front door.

“Will you be back tonight?” I ask as she steps outside. I’m in my underwear, so I don’t cross the threshold behind her.

“We’ll see how the day goes.”

She glances down the street with a look of uncertainty on her face. Either she’s worried someone might see her wearing the clothes she had on yesterday, or she’s freaking out again and wants to bolt.

Even though option two is the real reason she’s nervous, I plant a shoulder on the doorframe, arms folded over my chest, and tease her. “You act like you’ve never done the walk of shame before.”

Her eyes snap to mine, and she whisper-hisses, “It’s not the walk of shame.”

I smirk. “Isn’t it? You showed up late last night, got what you wanted, and now you’re leaving. Plus, you look thoroughly fucked.”

Huffing, she pats her hair and adjusts the purse strap on her shoulder. I bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“I’m going now,” she says primly before turning and striding away with her chin held high.

“Thanks for the good time. Let’s do it again soon,” I call after her while waving. No neighbors are around, but I’m having too much fun riling her up to assure her we don’t have witnesses.

She sends me a scathing glare before climbing into the truck and slamming the door.

As she drives offs, my amusement fades, giving way to my recollection of her standoffish demeanor. She didn’t hug me or kiss me goodbye, and she made no promises to see me later or even tomorrow. I got nothing from her, which means she won’t be back any time soon. All I can do is prepare myself for the sting of rejection sure to come.

Birdie

I’m staying at Pam’s again tonight.

Me

Okay.

Although I saw it coming, I’m bothered and hurt that Maisy has so easily brushed me off over the past two days. She’s not one to play games, so her distant behavior isn’t some ploy to get me to chase her. However, I wonder how she would react if I did. What if I showed up at Pam’s house and demanded Maisy come home with me? Without a doubt, she’d curse at me and run me off.

I’ll give her space, but only because I no longer have to contend with distance. She’s in Walford. Now I have to keep her here.

Charlie and Ainsley huddle around a table with their textbooks open and papers spread out. They must have a class together; this isn’t the first time they’ve come in early to work on an assignment.

Strolling toward their table, I ask, “What are y’all working on?”

“Studying for a history final,” Charlie mutters without looking up, flipping a pen between his fingers, his eyes scanning his notes.

“Cool.” I slide my hands into my front pockets. “Mind if I interrupt for a little impromptu staff meeting about the festival this weekend?”

Ainsley sets her pencil down, giving me her attention while Charlie’s gaze searches the room. “Shouldn’t we wait for Javi?” he asks.

Hiding my annoyance behind a blank mask, I say, “You do know Javi doesn’t actually work here.”

Bewildered, his eyebrows hike up behind his floppy curls. “Seriously? But he’s here all the time.”

“I’ll give him a recap later.”