Page 39 of Undeniable

“Is that a promise?” he asked while I was still mulling over my words.

“I, um…” The sun had set, and I could see my reflection in the window at the front of my house. I was still in my work clothes—a navy cropped pant with a high waist, cream blouse, and suit jacket. I looked nice, but I was positive a guy like Connor would never be attracted to a girl like me. Even without seeing him, I knew he was most certainly out of my league. Not that he’d ever made me feel that way. In fact, he was one of the few people who’d ever made me feel “seen,” which was especially ironic, considering the fact that he’d never set eyes on me.

“Sure,” I finally said, figuring it would never happen. “If you come to LA, I’ll meet you.”

“Deal.”

We were both quiet a moment before I said, “What do you think it would be like—meeting in person?”

“Strange. Exciting. I don’t know. What do you think it would be like?”

I bit my lip, considering it. I’d imagined it so many times I’d lost count. But it was a fantasy, and it should stay that way.

Part of the reason talking to him was so much fun was because we were both free to imagine, free to pretend. Meeting in person could very well ruin everything.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I’ve met some of my bookstagram friends in person, but that’s different.”

“Why?”

“Well, for one, they aren’t guys.”

“So…”

“And I’ve usually seen their profile picture, so I have an idea of what they look like even if they use an avatar.”

“I offered to swap photos.”

“I know. I know,” I sighed. “But then you wouldn’t have an incentive to visit.” I was teasing. Sort of.

I secretly worried that if I sent him a picture, he’d either (a) figure out who I was—daughter of Harrison Hayes. Or (b) he’d decide that he wasn’t attracted to me after all.

“Don’t worry. Even without the photo, you only need to know one word about me—sexy.”

I laughed, knowing he was only half joking. “And also…humble.”

“Obviously.”

We both laughed.

“Well, I was voted most handsome in my unit,” he said.

“You were not.” Laughter bubbled out of me, and Luna shot me a look of pure annoyance. I stuck my tongue out at her. I loved Connor’s playful, flirty side. And I was relieved that he already seemed lighter after everything we’d discussed.

Even so, I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d witnessed as a child. How devastating it would’ve been for him. And how it affected him still.

“You’re right,” he said, bringing me back to the present. “I was voted best with my hands.”

“Oh my god.” I shook my head, going over to the kitchen so I could make dinner. “You are so ridiculous.”

Why was he so easy to talk to? I’d never had this kind of effortless banter with any of the other guys I’d dated. Not that Connor and I were dating. But I’d never felt so comfortable in my own skin.

Because there’s no risk.

I rolled my eyes, even though I knew it was true. Connor and I lived on opposite sides of the country. And I had a feeling that even if we met, nothing would change. He lived in New York, and my life was here.

“You love it.”

He was right; I did. But I wasn’t going to admit that. It would be too close to admitting how I felt about him. That I liked him as more than just a friend. And I was scared to ruin what we had by meeting in person.

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