Page 19 of Ruined By the Hunk

Alone.

Where I can’t hurt anyone and no one can hurt me.

Right?

Chapter 10

Alice

I sit on the couch,staring blankly at the television. Some cooking show is on, but I can’t focus. The host is tossing something in a pan while talking about balance and flavors. I can only think of how completely unbalanced I am right now.

Splat curls up beside me, his tiny body a warm, steadying presence. I stroke his fur absentmindedly, my chest tight and my mind running in circles.

A knock on the door jerks me out of my thoughts. My heart leaps out of my chest and I freeze. It’s Hunter. It has to be him. He’s sent me many texts throughout the day but hasn’t knocked on my door yet.

My first instinct is to pretend I’m not home. Maybe he’ll go away, but the knock comes again. This time it’s louder and then turns into full-on pounding.

I chew my lip, glancing at the door. If I don’t answer maybe they’ll go away.

Splat meows, as if to say,You’d better deal with this.

I sigh and tiptoe to the door, peering through the peephole. Relief washes over me. It’s not Hunter. Instead, it’s my friends Bridget and Effie.

Still, I hesitate. I don’t want to face anyone right now. I feel like I failed at dating again and don’t want to admit it to anyone yet. Bridget knows about my past and she’s sure to think I’m an idiot when I tell her what I’ve done now.

“Alice!” Bridget’s voice booms through the door, followed by another series of knocks. “We know you’re in there. Open up!”

I groan softly and unlock the door, pulling it open. “What?”

Bridget and Effie barge in like a whirlwind, not even waiting for an invitation. Effie carries a paper bag that smells suspiciously like muffins.

“What’s going on?” Bridget demands, hands on her hips. “I’ve been texting you all day and you’ve ignored me. You’re lucky I didn’t send Miles and Harper over here with their key to make sure you were still alive.”

Effie gives me a once-over, her sharp eyes narrowing. “You look like you’ve been crying. What happened?”

I sigh, shutting the door behind them. “I’m fine.”

“Liar,” Bridget says, crossing her arms. “Spill. You had your date with Hunter last night. How did it go? Did he screw up? Because if he did, I’m ready to?—”

“No!” I blurt, horrified. “He didn’t screw up. Hunter was wonderful.”

“Then why do you look like someone stole your favorite blanket?” Effie asks, plopping down on my couch and setting her bag from Star Bakery on the coffee table.

I sink into the armchair, avoiding their eyes. “It’s complicated.”

Bridget raises an eyebrow. “Uncomplicate it. Start at the beginning.”

I take a deep breath, the words spilling out in a rush. “The date was amazing. We had dinner at his house. He made comfort food because I told him it was my favorite. They were his mom’srecipes and so delicious. Then we watched a movie and I got sleepy. I, um, stayed over.”

Bridget grins. “Ooh, did things get spicy?”

I nod, feeling my face heat. “Not last night, but this morning when we woke up.”

Effie leans forward. “Go on.”

I rub my hands on the arms of the chair, the words catching in my throat. “We didn’t use protection. I realized it after, and I panicked,” I continue. “I got dressed and left before we could even talk about it. I told him I needed to check on Splat, but really I just… I ran.”

The room falls silent, and I brace myself for their judgment.

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