Page 97 of Perfectly Faked

She can’t understand how fragile my heart is right now. One glance at him and all the tightly constructed walls I’ve put up will come crashing down in Olympic-record speed. I’m just not strong enough to resist him, especially when I’ve thought of him every single day since I left. It’s taken all my willpower not to send him any text messages, especially when those stopped too... like he just gave up on us.

I push on the door as hard as I can, and suddenly it gives way, crashing open. I stumble into my apartment, straight into the very solid arms of a man whose familiar scent I’d recognize anywhere... the same scent on the hoodie I wear to bed almost every night.

Leo.

“Victoria,” he murmurs, steadying me with his strong grip. What I expect to see are ice-blue eyes, cold with indifference. Instead, his gaze holds a wild desperation that makes my heart stumble as we lock eyes. His mouth tips up at the corner. “Didn’t think you’d literally fall for me the moment you came back.”

Behind the smile, Leo’s face looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks, his eyes lined with dark circles, his hair messily falling over one eye, like he’s ripped his hands through it dozens of times. He’s wearing a rumpled T-shirt that’s clearly been worn for days, but I barely notice. Or if I do, I just don’t care—because somehow, he still looks incredible to me. Like the sight of him alone is enough to take my breath away.

Oh, how I’ve missed him.

I step back, flustered.Walls up. “I didn’t fall into you on purpose.” The fact he can still make my whole body spark like a fireworks show is slightly maddening. “What are you doing in my apartment?”

“Delilah let me have the key,” he says, striding toward me, his gaze roving over me. “I’m only here between hockey practices and games because... I couldn’t stand the thought of missing you. I wanted to be the first person you saw when you came home.”

My heart lurches. “You’ve been waiting for two weeks?” I retreat a step for every one he takes.

He nods. “Twovery longweeks.” Another step closer.

“Well, I’m not staying.” I stop, then brush past him because looking up into those blue pools is killing me. He’s the one whopushed me to go, so why is he making me feel like I’m the one at fault?

Leo grabs my arm gently, then nods to Delilah. “Excuse us, Delilah. I think Victoria and I need to have a talk.” He kicks the door closed with his foot, sealing us together in this apartment. Electricity zings through my traitorous body at his touch.

He’s not going to let me go until I talk?Fine.I’ll talk.

I wave at the door. “You know that won’t stop Delilah from listening in. She’ll just put a cup to the door.”

“Then let her, because what I have to say won’t take long. You just need to agree to stop avoiding me. Deal?”

“If I must,” I sigh, pulling my arm from his grip because it’s doing funny things to me, making me replay how those hands once stroked my back, my neck, my waist as his lips crashed into mine.

Dang it all, I’m doing it again!Thinking of Leo like nothing’s changed.

“What do you want to talk about?” I say, pretending the heat isn’t creeping up my neck.

“Why you left without telling me. Why you haven’t texted me. Why you won’t respond to my calls...” He stops and lifts an eyebrow. “Want me to go on?”

I cross my arms. “One question at a time, you impatient man.”

He plants his body between me and the door. “I’ve been waiting ever since you left. I even tallied the days you’ve been gone.” He holds up a piece of paper that looks suspiciously like my own secret smile tally with fewer marks. “Look familiar?”

I tip my chin up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He wheels around and grabs a piece of paper that I know all too well.

“Then tell me what this is.” He unfolds it so I see the tally marks stacked like a thousand shiny reasons why I’ve always loved him. “What is this?” He taps the paper.

“I was counting your...” My voice lowers and I barely mumble the last word. “Smiles.”

“My what?” he asks like he didn’t hear me the first time.

“Smiles,” I say louder.

“Why?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

“I don’t know.” I shrug.

He crosses his arms, not letting me get out of this.

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