Page 20 of Ruined By the Hunk

Quickly I add, “I’ve already taken the morning-after pill.”

Effie asks, “What about Hunter? Are you going to see him again?”

“I clearly can’t handle this. I’m not responsible enough to be in a relationship. I’ll just keep to myself like I always have. It will be hard at first since we live next to each other, but I’m sure he’ll leave me alone once he realizes that I’m not good enough for him.”

Bridget shakes her head, her expression softening. “Alice, come on. You made a mistake. That doesn’t mean you’re not capable of being in a relationship. It takes two people to get carried away, you know.”

Effie nods. “Yeah, it’s not like you’re the only one responsible for what happened. And honestly? Hunter is the one with experience. I think you were both caught up in the passion of being with someone you’re falling in love with and got carried away. It happens.”

Falling in love with?

I sit back, my heart pounding.

Love. Is that what this is?

This overwhelming, all-consuming feeling I have for Hunter? This pull to be near him, even when I’m terrified of what it means?

I think back to the way he looked at me last night, the way he touched me with so much care and tenderness. The way he kissed me this morning like I was the most important thing in the world.

It’s love.

I love him.

“Oh, God,” I whisper, pressing my hands to my face. “What am I supposed to do now?”

Bridget grins and pats my knee. “You figure it out, but running away isn’t the answer.”

Effie leans back, crossing her arms. “Yeah. The question is, do you want to be with him?”

My throat tightens. “I don’t think I’m good enough for him. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Stop,” Bridget says firmly. “I don’t think Hunter wants perfection and I bet he worries about being good enough for you. If you truly love him you owe it to both of you to try.”

I look between them, my chest aching with a mix of fear and hope. Maybe they’re right. Maybe I don’t have to keep running. Maybe it’s time to take a chance.

Hunter

From my window, I see Alice’s friends walking into her house. They don’t look upset, so that’s a good sign. Alice doesn’t seem the type to rally a mob to chase me down, but with how she left this morning I’m not sure what kind of mood she’s in. I’m still not sure what happened or why she won’t return my texts.

My house feels too quiet, too empty without her. One night together and everything changed. I want to go next door right now and fix whatever is wrong.

I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts until I land on Wilder’s name. If anyone has advice, it’s him. He’s been in my shoes before.

The phone barely rings before he answers.

“Hunter. What’s up?”

“How do you always know something’s up?” I ask, leaning against my kitchen counter.

“Because I’ve known you your whole life,” he says matter-of-factly. “Your voice gets all tight when something’s wrong. Spill.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “It’s Alice.”

There’s a pause, and then I hear the sound of a door shutting on his end. “I’m listening.”

“We had a date last night,” I begin. “It was amazing. She came over for dinner. I cooked mom’s meatloaf. Then, Alice stayed over. It was perfect, Wilder. She’s everything…” I trail off, unsure how to put the rest into words.

“But?” Wilder prompts.

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