Page 77 of The Love Trick

But is the distance making Blaze’s heart grow fonder?

I swallow hard and open the door for Mom. We step outside into the warm air, and I inhale a lungful. My eyes drift back to the spot Blaze’s Jeep was parked. It’s empty now, and I brush it off as we walk toward the breakfast café Mom likes to frequent—the one right next door to Blaze’s gym.

My heart has a nervous stutter as we meander down the sidewalk. “Do you think Aurora will be on time?” It’s such a stupid question, but I’m desperate to fill the silence and stop my head from running right back to Blaze.

“Of course, she will be.” Mom laughs. “But speaking of Aurora, she and I would like to throw you a party for your thirtieth birthday. What do you think about having an old-school Hollywood theme? You know, Aurora’s always trying to find a reason to glam herself up.”

“Yeah, sounds great.” I clench my hands at my side, hating the thought of my upcoming birthday. Momneverthrows me parties. It’s always been Blaze and me doing something—just the two of us. But Mom knows what happened.

And I know she’s just trying to make things easier on me. I get it.

And I appreciate it. I do.

“Okay, cool. I’ll send out the invitations today. Is there anyone specific you want me to invite?” She keeps her tone so upbeat that I nearly roll my eyes.

“No,” I say flatly. “I can’t think of anyone.” My voice sounds distant as my eyes zero in on the familiar Jeep parked right outside the gym. My heart flip-flops in my chest, and I find a lump in my throat as the door swings open.

Why does he have to be getting here at thisexacttime?

I know the answer. It’s ten-thirty. He’s meeting his friends here to work out just like he always does.

I watch Blaze step out, his Converse hitting the asphalt.

“Addy?” Mom’s voice breaks my thoughts, and I realize I’ve stopped a few feet behind her.

I can’t respond, not as Blaze’s gaze flicks in my direction. His deep, amber eyes meet mine. I can’t breathe. His lip twitches, surrounded by a light grazing of stubble. He looks tired. Maybe even upset?

He probably hates me now.

He may have been the one who broke my heart, but I’m the one who called off our friendship.

Guilt pummels me at the thought, and I subconsciously wrap my arms around my middle.

“Maybe you should go talk to him?” Mom offers, standing beside me again, her voice barely above a whisper.

My lips part, and Blaze gives me a ghost of a smile. He’s not going to approach me, and the realization that it’s all in my hands makes me feel anxious. I chose that when I called it off and blocked him.

I take a step forward, but it’s too late. Blaze ducks his head and heads into the gym. He’s literallyrunningfrom me.

I swallow the knot in my throat as Aurora’s face fills my vision.

“Hey, you,” my sister chirps, not even knowing what kind of cataclysmic moment I just had. She wraps me up in a hug. “Mom filled me in on everything that happened. You deserve so much better.”

“Shh,” Mom says, her eyes still on the gym. “He was just right here.”

“Who? Blaze? Seriously?” Aurora’s eyes widen. “Is hestalkingyou? Girl, I have some contacts. I can take care of—”

“No,” I cut her off. “And also,weird.I don’t know how you have those kinds of contacts. Everything is fine. Sometimes this city is just too small.”

“Yeah,” Mom says quietly. “Let’s go inside.”

I nod as she loops her arm around mine and leads me toward the restaurant entrance. As I enter, I take one more glance toward the Jeep in the parking lot.

Imissit.

I misshim.So much.

Part of me wants to go running back to him and tell him we can just be friends if that’s what it takes to have him in my life again, but…

---