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As I walk, I can’t help noticing how weird it feels. I’m like a newborn giraffe trying to find my footing for the first time, and I don’t understand how only a few days can do this to me. I hope no one notices how out of place I feel as I open the door and walk inside.

“Hey!” Shane says, running to me as soon as he sees me walk in. “I was wondering when we’d see you again. Are you doing okay?”

“Actually, I’m not back… I’m here to grab some of my things. My dad thinks it will be better for me to stay out of the public’s eye until it all blows over. He’s going to be taking care of the coffee shop for a while, and I’ll be taking care of my mom at home,” I say.

His smile washes away, and I see a look of sadness appear,

“I’m so sorry this is happening. It’s ridiculous that you’re going through so much ridicule when you weren’t the only one involved. But we’re here supporting you in whatever you need. I’ll help you grab your things.”

We walk to the counter. I start pulling out my belongings from the shelf under the register when I notice a familiar car pull up out front.

Crap. What is Aiden doing here? The first time I’m here in days, and he finds me….

My heart is pounding when I see him getting out and walking toward the door. He’s wearing his nicest pair of blue slacks, the ones that make his eyes even brighter, and the white polo we got at the resort.

God damn. Why does he have to be so good-looking? It’s much easier to be mad at someone who doesn’t constantly look like he’s stepping off the set of a sexy businessman monthly catalog subscription.

Shane keeps looking at me. I smile and nod, letting him know I’m okay even though I’m dying inside. Aiden opens the door and smiles when he sees me.

Everything in me wants to be mad and scream at him for everything I’ve been going through, but I can’t. I see his damn smile, and my anger immediately fades.

He walks up to me,

“Hello, Josephine,” he says. I’m awkward and don’t know what to say or how to act, but I try my best to greet him normally. I can hide the pain in my voice, but I can’t help if my eyes show everything I’m feeling.

“Hi, Aiden,” I say, pulling every bit of courage out to face him.

I miss him so much, but he doesn’t know it. Our deal is over, and he’s probably only here for coffee.

“I’m so glad to finally catch you. Do you have a minute to talk?”

I look around the room and spot an empty table in the back. “Yeah, I can take a minute. We can go to the table in the back.” I point to the little two-chaired table in the shop’s back corner.

He walks toward it, and I round the counter behind him. He pulls out the chair for me and then takes a seat.

Can you stop being so damn sweet? It’s only making this more challenging, and I’m trying to stay mad at you.

We stare at each other in silence for several moments. I don’t know what to say to him. I’m so hurt and confused, and I don’t know what he wants to tell me. I’ve been ignoring his calls because I just couldn’t face him, but now I feel a little embarrassed about it once we’re face to face.

Is he here to apologize? Is he here to tell me he and Ada are back together, and he wants to prepare me for seeing it on the news next?

He clears his throat. “How have you been?” he asks.

I look at him and raise an eyebrow.You’ve got to be kidding me. Is he really asking me this?

“Right. Sorry, a bad question to ask after the week I’m sure you’ve had….”

“You mean the day I was locked in here because reporters were staked outside? Or when your girlfriend came in to humiliate and make fun of me?”

He looks down, folding his hands on the table, looking upset, “I’ve tried contacting you. Several times… I’ve even tried catching you here, and I have no luck…”

His words make my anger rise back up.How dare he act like I’m only avoiding him when I’m avoiding every single area of my life because of the shit storm this has unleashed.

“Yeah, you haven’t been able to find me around anywhere because I haven’t left my house. Every single person stares at me, making me feel even worse. To the point that I’m going to be staying home permanently for a while.”

His eyes dart up, and his face holds a concerned expression. I exhale in frustration, annoyed by his worry. He’s a little late to come in with all this sympathy now, and I’m getting sick of the pity.

“Yeah, my dad’s going to come to take over the shop, and I’m going to stay home taking care of mom. I can’t be out in the public eye anymore until this blows over. The toll it’s taking on me is too much.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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