Page 1 of I Can't Help It

EVERYTHING WAS FINE

Ava

You’re probably wondering how I ended up here, as the woman drooling over her ex-boyfriend’s best friend? Or maybe you don’t give two craps about my mess of a love life.

Ha. Well, either way, grab your popcorn and get comfy because I’m going to explain how I fell for Luke Tanner.

First off, you need to know that Wyatt and I did NOT break up because of Luke. After three months of dating, the two of us realized our relationship just wasn’t working out anymore. No one was to blame…but we both knew it needed to happen.

Simple and painless. No hard feelings. No sloppy aftermath.

And when Luke became my coworker at Time Well Spent Events almost four months ago, I didn’t think anything of it. We always got along well, and he knew the breakup was on good terms. Everything was fine.

But then everything WASN’T fine.

Soon, I found myself noticing little details about Luke. Details that I never noticed about him until we were around each other at the office.

Like his chin dimple. I thought it was weird, now I think it’s adorable.

His smooth voice. I swoon every time I hear him answer the phone.

His addictive cologne. I love getting a whiff of that clean/spicy combo.

The way he squints when he’s laughing. It’s so freaking wholesome.

The way he habitually orders some kind of salad for lunch. Couldn’t be me, but I admire his dedication.

Oh! And the way he writes everything down in one simple black pocket-sized notebook. That detail really stuck out to me since I have a billion sticky notes all over my desk.

Anyway, I started noticing different things about Luke, and it wasn’t long before I started crushing on him. Yep, I’m living proof that twenty-five-year-olds have crushes.

I obviously didn’t plan on falling for him. It just…kind of happened though.

You know, like when you go to the store for like two things but end up leaving with a cartful of stuff instead? That’s how I became the owner of a banana slicer. It seemed like a valuable asset to my kitchen, but after I almost cut my finger off—

Maybe this wasn’t the best example. Never mind.

Ugh.

My point is that falling for Luke was an accident.

And now I’m left wondering if he harbors secret feelings for me, too. Truthfully, there hasn’t been a lot of solid evidence, but for the past month or so, I’ve been finding any excuse I can to talk to him.

Today’s excuse is probably my lamest attempt so far.

“The printer is jammed?” Luke asks with creased eyebrows. “That’s weird, it was fine a second ago when I used it.”

Mmm, that voiceeeee. I could listen to him say anything. He could say that he hated me, and the words would sound heavenly.

“Yep, the printer is totally jammed.” I know this, because I was the one who purposely loaded the paper incorrectly after he walked away. “And I need to print something.”

“Well, I assumed that’s why you were trying to use the printer.” He gives me an easy smile as he leans back ever-so-slightly in his desk chair. “What did you need to print?”

A valid question, considering my job is usually checking out potential locations online (or in-person) and connecting with clients to discuss what their corporate event visions are.

The office printer and I don’t spend a lot of time together.

“One of the toilets isn’t working in the women’s restroom.” I try my best not to stare at his chin dimple. “So, Colton asked me to print out a sign for the stall.”

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