Page 97 of Taking Chances

I knew it was just sex. I knew he had no actual interest in me. And like a goddamn idiot, I’ve still fallen for him.

It wasn’t like falling off a cliff, I would’ve noticed that. It was slowly sliding downhill each time he showed me a piece of himself. Each time he showed me I’m worthy. He was the first person I wanted to call when I was scared for Luna. He was the person who held me and showed me support. And when he kissed me, no sex involved, I realized I was already there. I’ve fallen for him.

A part of me hoped that when I said our deal was done, he would tell me he wanted something else, somethingmore.

It was easy to blame Bryce for leading me on, but this one is fully on me. Lennox never led me on. He was honest about what he wanted, apprehensive about our deal, and I was the silly girl who overestimated herself.

My phone pings with a text—a text I barely manage to read with the fog in my eyes.

My sister.

Kaitlyn:

Maddie misses you.

That’s it. That’s the text. And I would be furious for the guilt trip she’s trying to take me on if I wasn’t missing Maddie so damn much.

Me:

I miss her, too.

Kaitlyn:

You’re welcome to come for dinner.

I think for a second, before replying.

Me:

I’ll be there.

I’m sittingin the office break room on Monday morning when Natalie and Matt jump me.

“Hey, are you all right?” Matt asks me, his deep green eyes filled with worry.

“Youknow?” How the heck would they know about Lennox and me?

“Erm…” He looks uncomfortable. “Natalie told me about Luna.”

“Oh.” I exhale a relieved breath. “I’m fine. She was bedridden for half of the day, but by the evening she was back to her old shenanigans. She got some meds, and she should be fine.” My lips turn up. It was amazing to see her play again.

“Good.” He returns the smile, but Natalie eyes me suspiciously.

“Hmm… what did you think he knew?”

My first instinct is to play it off. But for one—it’s Natalie. She’s like a dog with a bone when she sniffs something’s there. And second, what’s the point? The whole idea behind keeping it a secret was because they would tell me it’s a horrible idea. It’s too late to do that now.

So instead, I opt for the truth.

“About me and Lennox.” I shrug.

Her eyes widen but it’s not shock, it’s excitement. Her gaze snaps to Matt’s and she lands a loud smack to his shoulder. “I told you. I freaking told you something is up between them.”

“You did?” I ask, my voice soft.

“Yeah, there was this weird energy emanating from the two of you. And he was always giving you heart eyes.”

I snort, because it’s obvious she was imagining things. “He”—I inhale deeply—“was definitely not giving me heart eyes. It wasn’t like that between us. It was just… sex.” My voice turns barely audible.

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