Page 8 of Ruined By the Hunk

Thank you for bringing Splat back again and for checking on me. I’m ok. This is Alice.

I press send before I can second-guess it, my heart hammering as the delivered pops up under the blue message bubble. Immediately the three dots appear letting me know that he’s sending me a message back.

Hunter: You’re welcome, Alice. Anytime.

I bite my lip, trying to ignore the strange thrill that runs through me. It’s just a polite reply, I remind myself. But then another message follows.

Hunter: Do you need anything?

Do I? Not really. But the fact that he’d ask makes something inside me soften like maybe he does care.

Alice: No, I’m all set.

I want to say more, but I’m unsure of what. I should stop here, let this be the end. But the thought of cutting things off and ignoring him again is harder than I expected. Hunter’s been more than kind —and if I’m honest, he’s been on my mind a lot.

His next message catches me off guard.

Hunter: Would you let me take you to dinner tomorrow?

The question is simple. But I can’t bring myself to answer. Dinner means more time together, more conversation, and more of this tugging feeling that I’m not ready to face. What if this starts to go somewhere and ends badly?

I set my phone down, biting my lip as the seconds stretch into minutes. I can’t do this —not right now, anyway.

I don’t answer.

Chapter 5

Alice

I roll over in bed,my eyes still half-closed, and reach for my phone. The screen lights up and Hunter’s message from last night stares back at me.

Hunter: Would you let me take you to dinner tomorrow?

A pang of guilt twists in my stomach. I never answered him. These feelings I have when I think about Hunter make me feel vulnerable. He has this way of looking at me like he sees someone worth his attention. He’s so gorgeous and seems to have it all. I don’t understand why he would be interested in someone like me. And maybe I’m reading too much into it. Maybe he just wants to be friends.

With a sigh, I glance over at Splat who’s curled up in a ball at the foot of the bed. He’s watching me with those green eyes of his, as if he knows exactly what I’m dealing with and thinks I’m being ridiculous.

“Morning, baby,” I mumble, rubbing his head. “What do you think? Should I go?”

He lets out a slow, sleepy stretch, then meows softly, as if he’s saying, Yes, obviously. Or maybe he’s just hungry.

“You’re no help, you know,” I sigh, getting up to fill his food and water bowls in the kitchen. Splat follows me, waiting as I measure out his food, his tail flicking with the kind of unbothered certainty I wish I had.

After feeding him, I stand in the middle of my kitchen, glancing back at my phone. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t answer him.

“Alright,” I whisper to myself, steeling my nerves, and pick up my phone.

Alice: Sorry for not responding last night. I’d like to have dinner with you if the invitation is still open.

The message sends, my stomach twists with a mixture of excitement and panic. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself to feel these types of feelings. My mind is racing through a dozen of “what ifs” when my phone buzzes in my hand.

Hunter: Of course, I still want to take you out! I’ll pick you up tonight at seven. Can’t wait to see you.

A grin sneaks onto my face. The text sounds happy like he’s excited about spending time with me. The warmth in my chest spreads, and I can’t help but feel a small thrill at the thought of seeing him tonight.

But then, the doubt returns with a vengeance.

What am I going to wear?

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