Page 42 of Still Here Without You

Six, it’s Joel!

Enough said. I’m clearly having a moment. The stress has gone to my brain, and it’s malfunctioning. I can fix this. All I need to do is remember all the reasons why Joel and I annoy each other. I huff out a laugh and shake my head.

One, he’s a smartass.Oh, but that ass.

Two, he’s a know-it-all.But intelligence is so sexy in a man.

Three, he looks amazing without a shirt…dammit. This isn’t working. I just need—

Tap tap tap.

“Delilah? Are you okay?”Fuck.

I sheepishly raise my head to see Joel’s concerned expression through the window. Schooling my features, I smile before winding it down.

“What can I do for you, Joel?” I ask casually. At least, I thought it was casual until he says…

“What’s wrong?”Sigh.

“Nothing’s wrong, I was just cursing myself for not spending all my time studying.”

He eyes me curiously.Yeah, he’s definitely not buying it.

“Okay,” he says with a nod.

“Okay?”Maybe he is buying it.

“Okay, I’ll let you off the hook, even though you’re lying.”

I bark out a laugh. “Thank you, I appreciate it. But…I better go.”

He steps back and crosses his arms. “Of course. Best of luck.”Best of luck?

Starting the car, I smile awkwardly and reverse out of his driveway.That was strange.

“Delilah, stop!” I slam on the brakes as the car reaches the road and put the gear in park, panic coursing through me.Shit! Was I about to hit something?

Joel’s opening my door before I can figure it out, and suddenly, I’m being spun around to face him. He steps between my legs, crouches down, and puts his hands on my thighs.What’s going on? “Joel—”

“Don’t go,” he rasps.

“Huh? Joel, I have to study. You know I want to stay, but—”

“No, I mean…don’t go to Paris.”What?

I close my eyes, trying to hide the pain I know is reflected there. “Joel. You can’t be serious?”

“I am,” he says, his voice just above a whisper.

My eyes flash open as my heart races. “You can’t ask me that. Why would you ask me that? Take it back.”

“No,” he says, furiously shaking his head, his dark soulful eyes bouncing between mine. “It’s out there. I’ve asked it, and I’m asking again. Please. Don’t. Go.”

I squeeze my eyes shut again, unable to look at him. “Joel. You’re being unfair. Where’s this coming from? Why—”

“I’m in love with you.” My heart stops. The mixed feelings of happiness and heartache are too much for it to handle. Joel grabs my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him.

Opening my eyes, I do my best to remain calm. He doesn’t deserve to see the pain he’s causing. He’s messing up, saying all the wrong things, but I can hear the panic in his voice. He’s reacting. He’s scared.

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