Page 176 of Collided

I hold the book tightly. “What are you doing here?”

“I was waiting for you.” He stares deep into my eyes.

Red climbs up my cheeks and clings there with the promise of not coming down.

Excellent. Because it’s so romantic to look like a tomato in front of the guy you sort of like.

“Why?” I mumble.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“Not really.”Okay, so maybe I was hoping that he wouldn’t bother after our last confrontation.

After a long moment he says, “You’re lying a lot today.”

“No—”

He arches an eyebrow, and I shut up.

Putting away my book, I hug my knees and set my chin on top of them. All to make myself as small as possible. Invisible.

I stare at a random spot on the floor. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“You love reading.”

“Yes. But how did you know I’d be in this spot? Not a lot of people come here.”

“Preciselywhyyou’d be here,” he replies in a sure tone like he knows me from the inside out.

“How do you know me so well?”

“Because I watch you and learn everything.” Then he adds, “I want to know you, so I can understand you better.”

My heart jumps.

I look at him, surprised by his words.

For a minute I don’t even know what to say to him.

We sit in silence for minutes like it’s the most normal thing for us.

Finally, I say, “I like the quiet and loneliness here. It’s peaceful to me.”

“I understand.”

“You do?”

He nods.

Lifting his hand, he caresses my injured cheek. His touch is gentle and feather-like, quite contrary to how rough the calluses are on his fingers.

“It isn’t red anymore,” he murmurs.

His entire focus is on my cheek, knuckles running back and forth over my skin, but I feel his attention on every inch of my body. “If I ask you something, would you tell me the truth?”

My breath hitches and my heart beats frantically.

Oh my God.

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