Page 47 of The Sound Of Silence

Five days down. Two days to go.

Chapter Twenty

Willow

I’mscrewed.Totallyfreakingscrewed.

As Pippa apologizes for Jesse’s quick exit, all I can think about is the way he made my entire body break out in goose bumps after only the slightest touch, and the fire he ignited deep within me, something I never thought I’d feel.

There’s no denying it anymore—I want him. I’ve never really wanted anyone before. But I want him.

Oh God.

I smile and nod while Pippa tells me about her marketing ideas for the shop, and when she finally follows Jesse out the door, I fall in a heap on my desk.

How could I let this happen?I’m betraying my sister. Just like Ashley did. I’m not that person. I’veneverbeen that person. But I can’t get him out of my head.

I can’t go home. I can’t be around them.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Sara asks out of nowhere, making me jump.I didn’t even know she was here.

“Jesus! Where did you come from?”

“Sorry.” She giggles but at least appears a little apologetic. “I assumed you heard the bell.”

Shit! “I didn’t. I must have been in another world.”

Sara’s expression turns sympathetic and I internally cringe. “That was your sister and the hockey star, right?”

“It was. I’m sorry you missed them.”

“Is everything okay with you two?”

What? “What do you mean?”

“They just left the shop and now you’re a mess.”

“Why, thank you,” I say sarcastically, running a hand through my hair to fix it up.

Sara laughs. “You know what I mean.”Unfortunately I do. “I just wondered…” She trails off, and I’m not sure if she’s doing it because she expects me to fill in the blanks or if she’s giving me a chance to steer the conversation in another direction. So, I go with a little of both.

“There’s nothing going on with Pippa. I’m just tired. It’s been a day.”

“You mean, it’s been a week,” Sara says and I laugh. She’s not wrong. The last five days have been odd.

I’m about to tell her as much when a sassy grin appears on her face and she leans in to whisper. “I have to ask… what’s he like?”Dammit! Why didn’t I see that coming?

He’s annoying, moody, obnoxious, mysterious, breathtaking, all-consuming…

“He seems nice enough.”

“That’s it?” Sara laughs incredulously. “That’s all you’re going to give me?”

“For now,” I say honestly and she pauses, considering my response.

“I’ll take that.” She smiles. “But I’m here whenever you want to talk.”

I smile back as my heart races and my mind whirs. Sara always tells me she’s here for me, that's nothing new, but with the way she said it just now, I have to wonder if I’m being obvious about my feelings. Not that I’m going to ask. “Thanks, Sara. I know.”

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