Page 75 of Worth the Risk

“Oh goodness. Let me help,” he says, rushing to gather the items in his hands. “Here.” He takes the bag from me that broke.

We both laugh, trying to combine my items into an easier method to haul them when I hear my name across the lobby.

“Taylor?”

I freeze, looking up to see Noah walking toward me. I don’t say anything, just stand in place as Hank continues to scramble and gather my items, piling them into his hands.

“Okay,” he says, looking up at me, then seeing the expression on my face. “Oh.” He sees Noah, recognizing him. “I’ll hold your things,” he says under his breath. I nod and step toward Noah.

“Why are you here? Did you come for your things?”

He nods toward the door, opening it and waiting for me to follow him outside. My breath catches in my throat. I wasn’t sure what I’d expect when I inevitably ran into him at some point. I knew it might be awkward, even uncomfortable, but I also didn’t expect it to happen when things were this fresh between Austin and me.

“I saw the video,” he says once we’ve stepped back outside, onto the sidewalk.

“Video?”

“Come on.” He shakes his head. “Don’t play stupid. The viral video of you and him, I saw it. I saw all of them actually.”

My stomach drops when I realize what he’s referring to. “Oh, I didn’t think you had social media.”

He scoffs. “Wow, that’s the first thing you say? Typical,” he mutters.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—” I stumble because I don’t know what I meant. I didn’t intend for Noah to see the videos. I hadn’t posted them for that reason. Selfishly, I guess, I never even considered his feelings if he did see them, what he’d think or how he’d feel. I swallow down the lump that has taken over my throat.

“And I don’t have social media but when all of your friends and coworkers are sending you the video of your ex practically fucking her boss on her desk, it’s kind of hard to avoid.”

My stomach drops.

“So, are you with him now?”

“I dunno.” I’m not lying; I really don’t know. We haven’t had that conversation. I had planned on having it tonight. Not because I was scared or needing things to be defined, but because I want Austin to know what he means to me, that he’s the one I want to be with.

“Wow.” The disgust in his voice and on his face only continues to grow. “I always knew you were in love with him, but I didn’t think you’d stoop so low to let him take advantage of that just for some internet fame.”

“That’s not what happened.”

“Right.” He laughs. “Keep telling yourself that, Taylor. The same way you convinced yourself that you actually loved me.”

“I did love you,” I shoot back defensively. “I tried with us. I gave you every part of me.”

“Were you fucking him while we were together?”

“No! I chose you, Noah. You know that. I chose you that night. I came to you. I didn’t kiss him that night and you know it.”

“Your body might have come to me that night, but your heart never did.”

“That’s not fair.” I choke back tears that now threaten to fall. “I did love you.”

“Why’d you choose me?”

“I told you, because I loved y?—”

He shakes his head. “You weren’t in love with me then. We had only gone on two dates.”

I take in a deep breath, not wanting to answer the question.

“Why does it matter? Why now? Because I’ve moved on? Because I’m happy with someone else?”

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