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He pressed his forehead to the back of her head. “Don’t shut me out. Not now. I know I’m not the only one feeling this way.”
Zoe sighed. “Even if I did, it wouldn’t work.”
“What?”
She turned and faced him. “I’m not stupid, Alex.”
His forehead wrinkled. “What are you talking about?”
She squared her shoulders. “Whatever this is.” She gestured between them. “It’s nothing. Besides, I’m not interested in being another one of your women.”
“Is that what you think? That I’m playing you?”
“Don’t all men?”
He stepped back from her. Did he flinch? Zoe rubbed the back of her neck. Alex only stared as they stood across from one another in Lisa’s kitchen. Then her eyes fell to the floor, noticing Celine crawling with a grin on her baby face. Drool drizzling on her chin.
Zoe walked over and picked her up.
“I guess you have it handled.” Alex’s voice sounded cold. “I’ll see you around.” He walked over and kissed Celine’s cheek.
Zoe didn’t look his way, and even when the door shut behind him, she didn’t go after him. Perhaps her words were harsh, but she promised her brother. Then why did her lungs constrict? Her stomach hardened.
She rocked Celine to sleep, as her own bottom lip trembled. Did she make the right decision? Was Alex being sincere? Zoe couldn’t take the risk. It was for both their sakes.
Chapter 11
“Do you care about this man?” Dr. Burns asked.
Zoe stared at her laptop screen. Her full class schedule showed and two professors already had assignments posted. She had quite a few chapters to read, so she would have to work it around her job. Celine was a sound sleeper, so Zoe could get some reading accomplished when working. Today was an exception since she was off.
“Zoe?”
Zoe’s chin dropped to her chest. She clutched her phone in her hand. “Yes.”
“That’s a good thing. It’s been a long time.”
Zoe rubbed at her shoulder. It felt tight from all the tension building inside her. “It’s not a good idea.”
“Why not? Has he done anything to make you feel uncomfortable?” Dr. Burns asked.
“No.”
“How does he make you feel?”
A warm sensation flooded Zoe’s core. She hadn’t felt this way about a man since Jayden. She’d kept her blinders on since the accident, refusing to get involved with another bad boy. That’s what Alex was, but why did her heart scream to give him a chance?
What if he had changed? She shook her head. Men like him didn’t change overnight. He’d have to be in love with her to do that. Alex wasn’t. He’d probably never been in love a day in his life. Men like him kept as many women as possible. They never committed.
“Like... I’m all he sees.”
Dr. Burns continued. “He may surprise you. I’m not saying don’t have standards, but you never know. That’s the trouble with walls.”
Zoe sighed. “I know, but at least I don’t have to worry about—”
“Getting hurt?”
Zoe’s bottom lip trembled. “Hurting him. I know... I know what I’ve done. It’s in my memories for good. I hurt my family, friends, and the first man I ever loved. I don’t want to pull Alex into that, even if he means well.”
