Page 18 of Done Waiting

Turning around, I resume running, darting glances behind me at random intervals.

I run my typical route through the woods, and by the time I break through the tree line into my mom’s backyard, I still haven’t seen him.

Though it’s wrong, I feel defeated and frustrated that I didn’t see him. I planned to confront him, demanding he tell me why he was stalking me.

Stop this nonsense. Get ready for your date with your boyfriend.

“Ben… Are you okay? You seem distracted.”

A long stretch of silence hangs between us as he digs his spoon through his ice cream dish, swirling it around and not eating it.

“Ben? Did you hear me?”

Finally, his sapphire eyes look up, locking on me. “I’m sorry, Maddie. What did you say?”

“I asked if you were okay. You seem distracted.”

He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, yes. I’m fine. Sorry. It’s just…” He runs his fingers through his hair, messing it up.

That’s unlike him. Something is really bothering him.

His nonchalant tone breaks through my thoughts. “Just some minor stuff. I don’t want to bore you with it right now.”

Ouch. I wince at his words. “Ben, I—”

“Sorry, Maddie. I shouldn’t have said that.” He draws in a long breath, then lets it out. “It’s just minor and I know you’re grieving. I don’t want to put anything else on you right now.”

Reaching over, I lightly touch his hand. “The distraction might be good for me right now.”Plus, I’m not a weakling. I’m stronger than you’re giving me credit for. “It seems all I’ve done is think about my dad.” The slight tremble in my voice betrays my emotions and I utter curse words beneath my breath.

He flips his hand over, squeezing mine. “Maddie, don’t worry about it. Really, it’s nothing. But I appreciate you asking.” Ben gives me his charming smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “So, your dad left you his Mustang, huh? I’ll bet you can’t wait to drive it.”

Despite knowing he’s deflecting and distracting me, I animatedly talk about the memories in Dad’s car. He laughs when I tell him my dad let me race a guy last year, but I make him promise he’ll take that secret to his grave since my mom still doesn’t know about it.

The rest of the date went well, but that unsettled feeling returned when we got in his car. My stomach twists in knots as the thoughts in my head taunt me.

First, he and Chloe left you last night and stayed at the apartment—alone. Now, he’s distracted and won’t tell you about it. Could there be a connection?

Turning my head to gaze out the passenger window, my body stills, stunned when I meet a pair of onyx eyes. They bore into me intently, causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin. But it’s the angry look on the guy’s face that makes me feel like someone just threw me into icy lake water. There’s a look of betrayal in his flashing dark eyes like I did something wrong.

I can’t tear my gaze away, even though I tell myself I should. I’m captivated, pulled under his spell, as I blink rapidly, trying to figure out who the hell he is.

Could it be?

Breaking eye contact, my gaze trails down his body, stopping as awareness jolts through me. He’s wearing a dark hoodie beneath a leather jacket.

My eyes narrow as I picture the guy standing beneath my bedroom window. He was wearing a dark hoodie beneath a leather jacket, just like this guy. My gaze rakes over the rest of him, then back to his lips, which now smile sardonically at me.

It’s him. That fucking smile.

I can’t breathe as he holds my gaze, that intense, possessive stare penetrating my very soul. Trembling in my seat, goosebumps flaring over my body, tiny shockwaves lighting up my nerves, I tell myself to look away. To break whatever strange, magnetic hold he has over me.

But I don’t.

It’s him who is the one to break it when his eyes flick over to Ben, a look of disgust twisting his lips. My breathing is erratic, nervousness causing my muscles to twitch as I reluctantly turn my head to Ben, scared he’s going to be staring at me, red-faced from fury, demanding to know who the hell the strange guy is that I’m staring at.

Not that I know anything about the stranger, but still.

But Ben is oblivious, typing something into his phone, lips curled in a smile. I cock my head, studying him, unease making my stomach tighten in knots.Why does his smile seem flirtatious?My brows lowered.What the hell is going on? Who is he texting?

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