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Michael grunts. “That doesn’t explain why you were so lovey-dovey with him. Smiling, touching his hand.”
Heat spreads over my skin, my anger drifting toward him. Lips pursed, I hold my head high. “I can’t do this right now. Not like this.” I stand and head toward the door.
To no one’s surprise, he follows me. Once outside, I discover Asher leaning against Michael’s SUV.
He grins. “Hey, sweet Isla. Fancy seeing you here.”
“Hi.” I turn away, heading toward campus.
Michael grasps my hand, halting me. “Where’s your car?” he asks.
“At the dorms.” I pull my hand out of his.
“Let me give you a ride.” He nods toward his car.
Stepping back, I shake my head once. “I’ll walk. Thanks.”
“Okay, I’ll walk with you then.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels.
I groan, rubbing my forehead. “Michael, please. I’m not pushing you away. I just…” I exhale sharply. “I need space. Not because I don’t care, but because I’m being bombarded by so much right now.”
“You didn’t mind Flores in your space.”
Heart sinking, I meet his gaze. “Talking to someone for a few minutes in a café is nothing like dealing with…this.” I gesture between us. “With you.”
Lips pursed, he steps closer. “So, what? I’m supposed to leave?”
“For now? Yes. Because if we keep pushing like this, we’re going to hurt each other again.” I let out a deep breath, willing my body to relax. “You can’t give me a ride, and you can’t walk with me,” I add quietly. “Not today.”
If I stay with him right now, I’ll either say something I regret or let him push past my boundaries again.
“Call an Uber,” he says, jaw tight. “Otherwise, we’re back to you accepting either the ride or my company on the walk.”
Annoyed yet slightly impressed by his concern for my well-being, I nod. “Fine.”
I pull out my phone and order a ride. My point here isn’t to prove anything to Michael. Honestly, it’s the only way I know how to keep this from blowing up.
“Happy?” I ask quietly, not looking at him. “Please…just give me time to think.”
He skirts me, and for a moment, I think he’s actually going to listen and get out of here. Instead, he joins Asher, leaning against his SUV and crossing his legs at the ankles. “I’ll wait.”
And he does.
The next four minutes are the longest in history. Michael and Asher stand like statues in all their imposing glory. Asher’s shit-eating grin plays on my nerves. And Michael’s attention? It’s like a physical weight. A caress.
So, I unlock my phone and doomscroll, trying and failing to ignore his scrutiny. When my car arrives, I climb in without looking at them, press my back into the leather seat and close my eyes.
As the car pulls away from the curb, I open my eyes and get situated. I buckle my seat belt, when movement out of the rear window catches my eye, and I crane my neck to look.
Micheal’s SUV is also pulling away from the curb. Dammit. They aren’t going to follow me…are they?
It only takes a few more seconds to be sure that’s exactly what they’re doing.
Just like the other night, Asher is behind the steering wheel, following the Uber, while Michael is in the passenger seat—close enough to see, far enough behind to give me space. Always there. Always watching.
Warmth settles low in my stomach, and a smile I definitely didn’t plan for tugs at my lips. Michael’s jealousy will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
But this?
