Page 154 of Wardrobe Malfunction

“Thanks,” I say.

I get some creamer from the pot and pour it in before adding some sweetener.

I notice she’s still hovering, and dread passes through me that she recognizes me. My face has been plastered all over the Internet since the news of my “affair” with Vaughn broke.

“Hey, are you—”

“No.” I shake my head, cutting her off. I know I’m probably coming off as rude, but I just don’t care at the moment.

“Oh. Get asked that a lot, do you? ’Cause you sure do look like her. But then I did think, What would someone like her be doing in Klamath Falls?” She chuckles to herself.

“Who?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

The bell on the door behind me rings.

The waitress looks up at whoever just entered. She smiles. “Take a seat, hon. I’ll be right with you.” Then, she looks back at me. “Gigi Hadid. You know, the model who’s dating Zayn. You’re the spitting image of her.”

Gigi Hadid, huh? I wish.

I smile at her. “Thanks for the refill and the compliment.”

“Gigi Hadid,” a familiar voice says, making my whole body freeze. “Nah, you’re way prettier than her.”

Vaughn.

I’m almost afraid to turn in case it isn’t him. I think the disappointment would finish me off.

But I do turn. And it is him.

He’s here.

My heart starts to beat triple time.

He smiles, and my heart breaks.

“Hey, Pins.”

I can’t speak, so I just sit there, mute, while he takes the seat across from me.

“What can I get you?” the waitress asks him.

“Coffee.”

“Sure thing, hon. Anything to go with that coffee?”

He shakes his head but doesn’t take his stare from me. He hasn’t once looked away from me since I first locked eyes with him.

Well, he might be able to look at me for an extended period of time, but I can’t look at him. Staring at Vaughn right now is like staring at the sun. My eyes are starting to burn and sting and fill with tears.

I suck in a breath and stare out the window.

“I’ll be right back with your coffee,” the waitress tells him.

Silence drags on between us.

He’s right here.

I never thought I’d see him again like this. Never be close to him again.