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This friendly flirtation with him is getting out of hand, and now he’s seen a part of me that should’ve remained hidden.
In the span of three days, he’s gone from a strange man in the library to Brenden, the random guy who hits on me. Now, he’s the guy who held me while I had a panic attack. It’s too much.
“Look,” I say, my tone much sharper than a moment ago, “I appreciate what you did for me back there, but you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
A wide smile spreads across his face, revealing those perfect white teeth. “Are you calling me a dog, Lizzy?”
“If the collar fits,” I counter, unable to keep the corners of my own mouth from curving into a smile.
He lets out a light chuckle as our eyes lock. My heart flutters, a lump forming in my throat as his eyes move from mine, down to my lips, then back.
“I need to go.” I break eye contact and get in my car, but Brenden holds the door to keep me from shutting it.
My gaze snaps up, my shaky hands reaching out to grip the steering wheel. I can’t even process why he’d still be trying to pursue me after what he saw today.
Why would he be interested in a broken mess with two kids? What the hell is he doing?
“Lizzy?” he says, leaning down as his eyes lock on mine again.
My pulse races. His stare is too intense, his face so close to mine I can feel his breath on my cheek.
“Yes?” I sound every bit as breathless as I feel.
“It’s okay. We all have it.” His eyes grow darker as they peer into mine, the haunting effect causing goose bumps on my skin. It’s as if he’s seeing past my flesh and bone to examine my very soul, leaving me more vulnerable and exposed than I’ve ever been.
“We all have what?” I ask, stuttering each word.
“A darkness.”
His answer sends my brain scrambling as he stands, my mouth hanging open as I watch him close my door and walk away.
Brenden
The ringing of my phone brings me out of my trance, and I curse.
I’ve been sitting in this damn parking lot for thirty minutes trying to get my shit together, replaying everything that happened with Lizzy on a loop. My emotions are all over the place.
It doesn’t make any sense to care so much for someone you don’t even know. Yet here I sit, feeling completely wrecked from the pain that was dimming her bright green eyes.
My grip tightens on the steering wheel as I answer, “Hello?”
“Brenden?” Cat questions, like she’s surprised I answered my own phone. “What happened? Lizzy called and said she’d be home soon. She sounded upset.”
My chest burns as I take a deep breath to calm myself. How do I tell her this did not go according to plan?
Cat showed back up at the restaurant last night, asking to speak to me about her sister. It was odd to say the least, but I was desperate to learn more about the woman who so easily captured my attention. So, I decided to hear her out.
She told me Lizzy’s husband is no longer in the picture but she’s having a hard time moving on. Not going to lie, it was nice to hear I’m the first guy she’s showed any interest in. Still, it took some convincing on her part for me to agree to give her my number so she could arrange for me to see Lizzy again.
“Nothing.” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Everything went fine.”
The lie causes unease in my chest, but telling her about the panic attack would feel like a betrayal to Lizzy. Even if I barely know the girl.
“You’re not giving up already, are you?” Her voice raises an octave. “I warned you she wouldn’t make it easy on you.”
My jaw works back and forth, my breathing growing heavier as my anger spikes. Losing my temper won’t do me any good though. She did warn me—and I thought I was up for the challenge. Only, there’s clearly a lot more to Lizzy’s story than Cat let on.
I sigh. “No, I’m not giving up.”
