Page 99 of I Just Want to be Yours

“Are you okay?”

My mouth opens, and I’m on the verge of creating some bullshit response, but when my eyes meet his, something shifts. There’s something about the way he’s looking at me that makes me feel like he really cares. He isn’t asking to be polite or because it’s the right thing to do. He’s asking because he genuinely wants to know if I’m okay. I force a laugh that tastes bitter on my tongue and shake my head. “No.”

He nods. “Breakups suck.”

I blow out a breath. “Yes, they do.” With a tilt of my head, I ask, “What was your longest relationship?”

Braden’s eyebrows shoot up, and I’m not sure if he’s surprised by my question or surprised that I’m initiating more conversation with him. While I was with Jackson, I always felt so guilty talking to Braden, especially when I started to suspect he might have feelings for me.

But I guess now it doesn’t matter.

“Almost four years,” he finally says, and I blink.

“Four years?”

He lets out a light laugh. “Almost.”

“What happened?”

Braden rubs his palm over his chest like he’s soothing an old wound. “Nothing really. We dated for three years in high school. Tried to make it work in college, but we got accepted todifferent schools.” He shrugs. “The distance eventually caught up with us.”

“I’m sorry.” I look at him, seeing him in a different light. “Distance is such a bitch.”

“Yeah.” He lets out a laugh. “Yeah, she is.” The song changes, and he leans a little closer. “It’s okay, though. Time heals all wounds.”

“I hope so.”

His eyes meet mine. “It does.”

I have to fight the urge to tear my eyes away, but luckily Rae bounds up to me. “I won,” she says with a smug look.

Matt walks up to Braden with a cheesy grin. “I let her win.”

“Oh, no you didn’t. You are such a liar.” She gives Braden a serious look. “He’s lying.”

Braden chuckles. “I know he is.” Then he nods to one of the high-tops nearby. “Let’s get a table. I should be able to get us some drinks if my friend Anthony is working tonight.”

“Nice!” Matt walks backward toward the table and points to Rae. “What will it be?”

Rae tilts her head, considering his question as she gets onto the barstool. “I’ll take a cider if they have one.”

Braden looks over at me. “And for you?”

His question has me feeling like we’re on a double date, and the air around me is suddenly harder to breathe. “I can get it.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “You know Anthony, too?”

“Oh, right.” Having him bring back a drink for me feels like too much. “Um, I’m okay.”

Braden frowns. “Are you sure? I’ll buy.”

If only he knew how much worse that made it. I can’t let him buy me a drink. Then it’s way too much like a date. Heat creeps up my neck, and I shake my head again. “I’m okay.”

His shoulders sag, and as if he can see what I’m thinking,he softens. “It’s just a drink, Margot. It doesn’t mean anything.”

My eyes search his. I already have guilt weighing on me from initiating the breakup with Jackson. I don’t need more piled on for giving Braden the wrong impression. He doesn’t look like he’s trying to flirt with me, though. He looks sincere. Heissincere. Forcing a breath, I nod. “Sure. Okay. A cider sounds good.”

He smiles, but I can see the sympathy behind it. I hate that he can see how broken I am. Then again, maybe it’s better this way. On the off chance he actually does have a crush on me, it will be a clear indicator that I am still very much unavailable.

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