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I took a slow step. Then another.
Awareness prickled over my skin.
Helpless, my eyes were drawn across the dance floor and met his, like every fucking movie cliché ever. He was so unbearably handsome, it hurt to look at him and know he wasn’t mine.
He stared at me, his molten gaze searing my skin, his mouth unsmiling.
“Avery, I don’t think I can do this,” I said shakily.
“Yes, you can.”
Giving my arm a reassuring squeeze, she melted away, and it was just us.
My feet carried me forward, closer and closer until I was within touching distance.
No. I can’t do this. It’s too hard.
I turned on my he
el.
“Wait.” His hand touched my arm.
“I can’t do this,” I whispered. I shook his arm off, heading for the exit doors as quickly as I could in my ridiculous heels.
“Liv.” His husky voice rang through me. In a few short strides he’d caught up with me, grasping my wrist and spinning me around to face him. “I need to talk to you.” His tone was hushed, urgent.
“I can’t. I’m sorry. Please let go of me.”
He kept hold of me but loosened his grip, running a thumb over the tiny veins on the inside of my wrist. His touch lit me on fire.
Fuck.
I was nowhere near being over this man.
“Five minutes. Please. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Let. Go. Of. Me. Now,” I gritted out, noticing that people around us were starting to pay attention to us.
“Olivia. Listen to me. Please. You need to hear what I have to say.” His insistent tone sent my eyes flying up to meet his.
I was taken aback by his serious gaze. As we stared at each other, his eyes softened and he took a step forward, so I had to tilt my head back to keep looking into his eyes. “You deserve an explanation.”
My shoulders slumped in defeat. I had promised Ethan I’d listen, and Luke was right, I did deserve an explanation. Even if it would kill me to hear it. The sooner I heard what he had to say, the sooner I could leave.
“Okay, fine. You’ve got five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
We stared at one another, his thumb still caressing my wrist. My heart rate sped up, and I gulped, trying to get more air into my lungs.
He released my wrist and took my hand. “Let’s talk.”
He led me from the room, keeping my hand clasped tightly in his. We walked through the lobby and out of the doors to the same deserted courtyard area I’d been in with Avery a short time ago. Strings of outdoor lights wound around a wooden pergola, casting a dim glow, and he moved over to it, stopping and leaning against the wooden frame. He stared off into the distance, his expression troubled.
“I’m so sorry, Liv.” He lowered his remorseful gaze to mine, his voice filled with raw emotion. His hand, still holding my own, was shaking, and I squeezed it automatically, running my thumb over his knuckles.
