Page 108 of The Right Kind of Wrong

A genuine smile covered his face and he leaned against his car, eyes studying my face for a moment before he spoke up. “What do you need from the car?”

“I left an assignment there and need to get it out.” I felt my cheeks heat up; his nearness always affecting me even if I didn’t want it to.

He extended his hand, giving the keys over to me. “These won't set it off,” he smiled teasingly.

“Screw you,” I glowered, unlocking the car. It was lying on the passenger seat as if he already knew that I would eventually come looking for it.

“Is that it?” he asked, not losing the amused look in his eyes. I nodded, biting my lip, a nervous habit he just loved. “It would have been easier for you to just tell me, you know? Instead of putting on a show in the university garage,” he teased.

“I didn't want to talk to you,” I replied.

Instead of arguing with me, his smile turned into a full blow grin, one that met his eyes. My heart soared. “It's good to see you're still in there,” he said. “You can still turn to me for help, Evelyn. We may not be together, for now, but that doesn't mean I won't help you if you need it.”

“You've said you would be there before and look where we ended up,” I said, lowering my gaze.

He tilted my chin up, his fingers caressing my face with tenderness. I let out a shaky breath and his eyes, they softened, looking at me with so much love that I couldn't be mad at him.

“I know I went about things the wrong way,” he said. “But if you give me the chance, I can explain to you, at least in part, what happened.”

“In part?” I asked, tears flooding my eyes.

Go away, stupid tears.

“I don't want half-truths, Nathan, I need the whole truth.”

He swallowed thickly, cupping my face in his hands. “Okay,” he whispered. “Let's go to lunch today, I'll tell you everything, hm?”

“Nathan, I don't—”

“Please, Evie,” he implored, not bothering to hide his sorrow. “Don't you think we owe that to each other at least?”

“Can I even trust you?”

The thought of giving him that trust once again and then being betrayed was almost too much to bear.

“You'll understand when I tell you. I'm only trying to protect you, Evelyn, I promise. You can decide afterward if you want to stay mad, it's your choice. I won't force you, but please, give me a chance to explain.”

I turned away and Nathan got the message, and let me go.

“Fine,” I said. “But Nathan, if you lie to me one more time about even the color of your underwear, I swear to God I'll cut—”

“Hey,” he chuckled, raising up his hands. “I promise, I won't lie.”

“Fine. I'm serious, Nathan. You hurt me too much and I don't know if I can forgive that. Not after what you said. Not after everything.”

“I know, Evelyn.” Regret covered his face but he didn't try to touch me again. “Just give me a chance to explain, that's all I'm asking.”

I nodded and walked past him, sighing in relief when I realized I had been able to handle being in front of him without having a breakdown.

“Evie!”

I groaned, stopping when I heard his voice once again.

“What?”

“Good luck on your presentation today.”

I smiled to myself and kept walking without saying another word to him.

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