Page 201 of Breaking the Rules

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"Now?"

"Don't be ridiculous." I could barely lift the bar last time. "I have to work up to that."

"Uh-huh."

"Yeah." I move into the kitchen. Get close to him. Close enough my hand brushes his. "I can't let you have fun without me."

He turns to me. Stares into my eyes.

He's such a perfect height.

Just a little bit taller than I am.

My head fits into the crook of his neck.

His hands are at my hips.

This is so…

"You think about what I said?" He presses his ass into the counter. Moves away from me.

"Yeah." I force myself to take a step backward. I was dead tired last night, but it still took forever to find sleep. I kept thinking about the hurt in his eyes and the regret in his voice.

He was practically begging me to be his friend.

I want to give him that.

But then…

I still want to slap him for rejecting me. For rejecting us.

I can't blame him. Not really.

But that doesn't make it easier.

"It's a good idea." I play with the hem of my tank top. There's nowhere to put my hands. Every place screamsI want you to touch me.

The timer beeps. He pours the coffee into my oversized white mug. Slides it across the counter.

I find the half and half in the fridge. Fix my java.

Mmm. Perfect. "Thanks."

He nodssure thing.

"So… um… Believe it or not, I don't really have guy friends," I say. "Besides the guys at the shop."

"I'm not a guy at the shop?"

"You didn't sign the paperwork yet."

"Still."

"What um… what do we do?"

"You think I know?" Vulnerability streaks his eyes.

This matters to him.

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