Page 46 of That Summer
“I know.”
“And I get what you’re trying to do, to make me see the fun in life, but it felt like a line was crossed.”
“Was it the dancing?” His expression morphed into curiosity. A smile wanted to sneak out, but he used amazing restraint to keep it in check.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe. Maybe it was the whole thing. I don’t know.”
A rock on the ground became her focus. She kicked it across the parking lot.
“I know what you’re thinking. I can read you, remember?”
The words froze her to the spot and her vision blurred.
“My only plan for tonight was to show you that there’s life and fun away from the safety of your backyard.”
She stepped backwards, inching closer to the door. Admittedly, she did have fun. For a moment she forgot who she was and what she battled. For a moment, she was no longer lost.
“There’s something you need to know. Before I met you, I was a guy who spent all his time with a wrench in his hands, hanging out with other grease monkeys. Sure, I have friends, but now I know they’re superficial. They never cared about me the way you do. It was always how best I can help them. But you… you’ve brought out a side in me I didn’t know existed. I feel different around you—free—and I love that I can trust you with my secrets. You’ve given me a purpose. I love helping you, watching you learn and tackle your fears. It’s the reason I want to change studies.”
She wiped the tears with the side of her hand. “I have to go.”
“Before you go, know this. Yes, I love you, but I’m not in love with you. I love you like a sister…” He paused and sighed. “Except I get along with you. I enjoy your company and I want this whole summer thing to work out for you and Nate. I’d never try to put the moves on you and take any chance of ruining our friendship. You mean far too much to me. You’re my best friend, Aurora.”
Tears fell hard and fast. Her head resembled a tornado of emotions, and she was unable to pick just one. He declared his love—for their friendship—and it made her heart ache. Tonight had been a perfect escape until it went too far. What the hell was going on?
Her body vibrated with the mixed feelings. Unsure of what to do, she backed up further. It was too much. It was all too much.
“Please, Aurora.” His voice was raw as he pleaded with her.
“I’m sorry, I just need some time.”
He took a step forward.
She thrust a hand up. “I’m sorry.” She spun on her heel and headed into the building’s foyer.
Chapter Eleven
“How can you be in love with him?” Kaitlyn said, passing Aurora a personal sized container of ice cream as she entered the apartment. “How is that even possible?” Her tone lacked warmth. It was downright condescending.
Aurora slumped onto the weathered couch and glanced around. The apartment felt different. Empty. Lonely. The picture of her and Nate lay flat on the shelf. She couldn't bear to have him staring at her. It was like he knew what had happened tonight.
A cool breeze blew in through the open patio door, the evening ripe with the city smell of rusting leaves and crisp air. Even from the 19th floor, revving engines and honking horns sounded in the distance.
She sighed. Maybe calling Kaitlyn had been a bad idea. She wanted comfort not a lecture.
A drawer in the kitchen banged shut, and Kaitlyn fell beside her, a spoon extended out in offering.
“Thanks.”
Kaitlyn twisted in her spot. “No, really, how can you be in love with him?”
“I don’t know, Kait. But it freaked me out when it dawned on me.”
“So you blamed him?”
“Well, not really. We were dancing, and he whispered it was perfect. It cemented or verified or ugh, I don’t know the word I’m looking for, but it hit me like a bolt of lightning.”
Kaitlyn waved her spoon around. “This really complicates things.”