Page 33 of Forgive You

I’m not unfamiliar with this look. I’ve seen her sad and frustrated more times than I can count, but this is different than that.

“Thank you.” She finally smiles tightly. “I’m fine. You can go now.”

Instantly, I’m knocked back to our reality. Out of my protective mode and right back into my anger.

Yeah, nice try.

Annoyance spreads around my body like an expanding ripple, and I glance down, snorting at how quickly my boner disappeared back into his cave.

Right, I’m mad at her.

“Wanna tell me what the fuck that was?” I get up and straighten, crossing my arms so I can peer down at her.

Fully back to being an asshole.

I take a step away, studying her from tip to toe. Eyes fierce, she’s doing her best to show me the confidence she’s been throwing at me while flirting with that guy, but it’s haunted with an insecurity that reminds me of all the nights I comforted her in my embrace.

There’s something she’s not telling me.

I know this girl. I’ve seen her drunk, sad, mad, rebellious, you name it, I’ve seen it. But never did she have a panic attack. Not one of the million times she fought with my brother and not even when her best friend lost her mother.

“Since when are you having panic attacks?”

“That wasn’t a panic attack,” she answers quickly, addingnadato her credibility.

Cocking my head, I raise my eyebrows.

“Wanna try that again?”

“What?” She shrugs, adjusting the strap of her bathing suit. “I didn’t want my hair to get wet.”

“Save your lies for someone who doesn’t know you.”

“You don’t know me,” she snaps.

I wish.“I know when you’re lying.”

“I’m not lying.” She hops off the bed, whipping her hair into my face before retreating to a corner, her hands in her hair. “Can you just give me a minute?”

She’s putting in an effort to appear fine, wide eyes and pretty smile and all. She can’t fool me, though.

“You don’t blink when you lie.”

“Excuse me?” Her glare is adorable but ineffective.

“You don’t blink when you lie.”

She jerks back, taking in my words, then blinks twice to make her point, and I hold back the grin that wants to sneak out.

“Too late now, Jules.”

“Whatever.” Her eyes shut as she releases a big sigh that I can feel vibrating through my body.

I’m dying to take her into my arms and erase whatever sorrows she has. Run my hands through her silky hair and have her tell me what’s wrong. But we’ve passed that stage. Crashed right through it and wrecked it beyond repair.

Considering the amount of lip she’s giving me, she’s clearly fine. I should just walk out and let her be, so we can go back to firm lines and hate each other.

“I first noticed when you kissed me,” I confess. “I brought you back to my place after your fight with Jacob and he walked in.”

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