Page 78 of The Love Trick

But that’s not the answer for me.

I take a seat at the table, my eyes drifting to the window, while Aurora and Mom chat happily about married life. I tune out and reach into my pocket for my phone. I scroll to my blocked contacts and unblock Blaze.

I pull up our old message thread and start to type, “I miss you.”

But I can’t bring myself to hit the send button.

He should know I miss him, right? I mean, I told him Ilovehim.

I close out of the message thread and put my phone back in my purse.

“You really love him?” My sister nudges me.

I look over at her, feeling pathetic and teary all over again. “Yeah, I do—er, I did.”

“Well, I think he loves you, too,” Aurora says in a tone that makes me want to dump my ice water down her shirt.

“Ifhe did, don’t you think he would’ve said that by now? I told him how I felt, and it all came back to bite me.”

“Men aren’t that easy,” Aurora tells me. “Let’s not forget that Blaze is an orphan. He has no idea how to do things like this. He doesn’t know how to tell you he loves you, and he’s probably scared.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, letting the conversation die at that.

Thankfully, Mom doesn’t chime in. We’ve talked it all to death, and she was pretty adamant that I shouldn’t block him—but she also knows how hard this is for me.

So, we keep the conversation focused on Aurora and Robert, and then my thirtieth birthday party, which will mostly consist of everyone else’s friends. Penny won’t be able to make it, and without Blaze, well, I don’t really have any other close friends. Apart from the team, of course—his team.

Ugh.

I don’t eat much, and finally, the scent of syrup is overwhelming me for whatever reason. I push back from the table, forcing a jovial tone. “I’m going to go wait outside for you guys to finish. I have a headache.”

“Okay,” Aurora chimes, though my mom only gives a solemn nod.

I slip from the table, a fresh stain on this tank top that costs more than my couch. I jog down the steps and head for the bench…

Right as Blaze steps outside of the gym, his phone to his ear.

As soon as our eyes lock, he immediately pulls it away and hangs up on whoever he was calling. He forces a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Addy.” He breathes out the greeting, his eyes dropping to my shoes.

“They’re new,” I say stupidly. “My mom bought them for me. Actually, she bought everything I have on. It’s all new.”

He nods. “Yeah, looks like it.” His eyes drop to his beat-up Converse, black gym shorts, and black cutoff. “Still the same over here.” The comment nearly rips my heart right in two.

“Yeah,” I choke out, my voice laced with defensiveness. “Well, I can’t stay the same, Blaze. It wasn’t working for me before.”

His brow furrows, and then he takes a step forward. “There was nothing wrong with you, Addy.”

“Yeah, well,” I scoff, raking my fingers through my hair, “I’d beg to differ. Besides, I read this article that says reinventing yourself helps you … um, move on.” I feel so awkward admitting it to the guy who’s thereasonI’m trying to move on in the first place… Meanwhile, he’s not having to do anything.

Ugh. I’m so pathetic.

“Right.” Blaze shoves his hands in his pockets. “Is that the same article that mentioned blocking people, too? Because if so, maybe I should read it so we’re on the same page.”

My heart stumbles over itself, heat flooding my cheeks. “I had to. Otherwise, I probably would’ve gotten drunk and called you or something.”

That crooked grin tugs at his lips. “And would that be such a bad thing?”

“Yeah,” I snap. “I’d embarrass myself. That’s all I’ve done, Blaze. That’s all I ever do. I embarrass myself, and that’s why we can’t be friends. I’d just keep embarrassing myself.” I laugh dryly, because I know if I don’t, I’ll probably burst into tears.

---