Page 57 of Accidentally Yours
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and rough against her temple.
Paige nodded stiffly, even though she couldn’t summon words. Physically, she was fine. It was her heart that had taken the hit.
You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Had he really said that? The words echoed inside her, rattling against walls she’d built carefully and for good reason—to protect her heart. But Ethan’s words had broken through. They’d punched a hole in her protective shell. They’d rocked her back on her heels and pushed her straight to her butt.
Lying on the floor, she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to breathe around sudden, clawing panic. Then she tilted her head, finding Ethan’s concerned gaze inches from hers.
“I’m such a klutz,” she said, laughing thinly, at absolutely nothing that was funny. “You okay?”
Ethan groaned, and Paige pushed herself upright, untangling from him.
“I don’t know what happened,” she added lamely, even though she knew exactly what had happened. She’d panicked. The tender moment had been too raw, too real—and old reflexes kicked in.
“It’s okay.” Ethan sat up with a wince and stretched out his arm.
Paige forced lightness into her voice. “Thanks for breaking my fall.” She’d talk about anything to avoid the heavy, real feelings they’d been barreling toward—emotions she wasn’t sure she was ready to verbalize.
Opening up wasn’t easy for Paige. It never had been. She’d grown up around love that was implied, not spoken. Her family showed care through actions, not words, and rarely said “I love you.” Being vulnerable still felt like exposing herself without armor. It went against her instincts. She didn’t trust it.
And Ethan had definitely been vulnerable.
Did he expect her to do the same? Could she?
“My shoulder took the brunt of it,” Ethan said, shaking out his arm.
She winced. “I’m sorry. Anything broken? Sprained? Should I take you to a doctor?” Her chest tightened, the flash of old memories snatching hold. Her ex had been sweet to her, too, in the beginning. But his love wasn’t permanent. It waned over time. And toward the end, he spent way more time at the ER or looking at his phone than he ever did loving her.
“I’m okay,” Ethan replied, flexing his fingers. His gaze searched her face, quiet and steady. Could he see all the thoughts racing through her head? Everything she was trying so hard to hide?
And why? Why was she trying to hide her feelings? The truth? Why couldn’t she just tell Ethan she liked him too? More than liked him.
Paige swallowed, pushing down fear and turmoil, but Ethan didn’t press. Didn’t call her out.
“I think I broke my dignity,” Paige joked weakly, swiping dust off her yoga pants, as if that could wipe away the awkwardness.
Ethan smiled, but it was faint. Guarded. Paige knew the moment had slipped away, that she’d screwed it all up. And she didn’t know how to get it back.
“I think it’s time for a snack break,” he said, pulling his skates underneath himself, bracing to stand. “You want a slushie and nachos?”
Paige blinked at him, at how easily he brushed off what had just happened. At how quickly he let her sidestep what was building between them.
Yet, wasn’t that what she wanted? To pretend she wasn’t . . . falling for him?
“That sounds great,” Paige replied, pasting on a smile. But inside, she hated how hard it was to say what she really wanted to. How difficult it was to reach past old scars.
Because, if she was being honest with herself, she was terrified that Ethan would change his mind. That he’d look too closely and decide she wasn’t worth the trouble. What if she let herself fall headfirst . . . and he didn’t catch her?
Her chest tightened. Old fears—you’re too much, you’re not enough—rose like smoke, choking her.
“I could use a snack,” Paige said quietly.
Ethan stood and reached down, offering her his hand. Paige took it, hoping she could convey her heart through her touch, through her eyes. Even if she wasn’t ready to with words.
Chapter Twenty
Paige: What if I’m not lovable?
