Page 164 of Breaking the Rules

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So not into that.

I make a show of taking a seat.

She gives Hunter one last hug then she bounces out of the shop.

He slides the cash into his pocket.

I bury my nose in my text book.

"Art history test?" he asks.

I say nothing.

He stands there, waiting.

I pretend to ignore him.

We stay like that for a solid two minutes.

Finally, he gives up.

"All right." His fingers brush the counter. "If that's the way you want it."

Fuck him for that.

Fuck him for everything.

I mean, if I could fuck him I wouldn't want to throw up every time I saw a smile.

But fuck him for that too.

Hunter doesn't have time to leave. Ryan interrupts.

He leaves his suite to move to the counter. Stretches his arms over his head, accidentally showing off his taut abs.

I try to convince my body to want him, but it doesn't happen.

Only Hunter will do.

He turns to Ryan. Nods a hello.

Ryan nods back.

Hunter's eyes flit to me. "Emma wants to tell you something."

No. I want sleep. And Disney movies. And an alternate universe free of Hunter's excuses.

"About the shop," he says.

"No. I want coffee." This is my idea. I get to decide when I share it.

I slide out of my chair. Move around the counter. Brush past Hunter with as much cold shoulder as I can manage.

But that does nothing to help my case.

Now, he's whispering something to Ryan.

And Ryan is nodding.

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