Page 14 of Stay for Forever

“You’re not? You didn’t sleep with me and disappear in the morning before I woke up?”

“I got called away.”

I roll my eyes. “And what? You couldn’t wake me and tell me or, I don’t know, write a note. There are these things called paper and pencil. Very handy and low tech. You’ll find the objects in most households.”

“I tried phoning you,” he claims, and I notice several people peeking around the entrance of the library. Great. I’ve always wanted my heartbreak to become fodder for the town’s gossip.

I snort. “A week later after I ignored your text messages. You don’t want me. You want me because you can no longer have me. Go home.”

“I am home.”

I cross my arms over my chest and watch as his eyes dip to the cleavage revealed by the action. When his gaze returns to mine, his eyes are heated. Dang it. Why does his attraction to my body make me feel all warm and gooey inside? I’m not a stupid marshmallow.

“No, you’re not. You belong in Hollywood with the rest of the A-listers. Not in Winter Falls.”

“What if I want to belong here?”

“You’ll be bored before the month is out.”

“I accept your wager. What do I get when I win?”

“This is not a joke,” I hiss at him. “This is my life, my family, my hometown.”

He sighs. “I know. What I don’t know is how to convince you this is my home now, too.”

“You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself.”

He winces, and I know I’m correct. This isn’t the place for Maverick Langston. Too bad I didn’t come to the realization before my heart latched onto the man. No, not my heart. I was never in love with Mav. In lust? Totally. In love? Nope. I don’t know the man. How could I love him? And I’m not a big, fat liar either.

“I’ll see you around, Mav,” I say before speed walking away. This time when he yells my name, I keep on going. Talking to him won’t resolve our issues.

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