Page 54 of A Change of Heart

“Maybe you’dratherdo something else,” Cadan said with a teasing glint in his eyes. “But considering you have no other options for the evening it looks like we’re your best choice.”

“And I didn’t think I could feel worse about my social life,” she replied, smiling and dodging out of the way as Cadan reached across the bar to give her a friendly shove.

She went to serve customers at the other end of the bar and only came back when Cadan and Felix got up to leave.

“Sure you don’t want us to wait for you?” Felix asked.

“No thanks.”

As they left the pub, Noah arrived for his shift, along with Marty, another of the bar staff, meaning Seren could go home.

“Are you going to Mum’s for lunch tomorrow?” Noah asked as she lingered by the bar.

“Yes. Who else is going?”

“Me and Keira, and Kit. I thought Trystan might come over this weekend since he hasn’t been back for a while, but he says work’s busy.”

The mention of Trystan made Seren think of her weekend in London with Kit. Her stomach twisted at the thought of how much time she’d got to spend with him. At least it seemed as though she’d finally get to see him the following day. The way she was feeling, she was tempted to have it out with him and tell him to stop avoiding her. Not that she’d get the chance with everyone around.

“See you tomorrow,” she said to Noah before she headed for the door.

Wandering through town, the idea of confronting Kit stirred in her mind until she redirected her course. Going over to have a go at him might not be her best idea ever, but she’d get to see him at least. The thought made her stomach flutter.

He buzzed her into the building, and she walked inside to find him standing in his doorway in a pair of jeans and a checked shirt. His hair was damp as though he was getting ready to go out.

“Hi,” he said hesitantly.

“Hi.”

His lips twitched to a bemused smile. “Is everything okay?”

“No.” The butterflies were replaced by irritation over the fact that he’d spent three weeks acting as though she no longer existed. “Everythingisn’tokay.”

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re avoiding me,” she stated, her voice rising in pitch and volume.

“What?”

“You’re avoiding me and I don’t like it.”

Idly, he fastened the button on his cuff. “I’m not avoiding you. Not really.”

“Yes. You are,” she practically shouted at him. “It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything wrong, but now you’re avoiding me.” As tears sprang to her eyes, she stepped back, realising she’d lost control of her emotions. It was tempting to bolt before she made a complete fool of herself.

“I’m sorry,” he said, venturing barefoot into the hallway.

“You don’t need to be sorry. Just don’t pretend you aren’t avoiding me.” She wiped at her cheeks with trembling fingers. “I used to see you every day. For as long as I can remember I’ve seen you every day. Then you tell me you love me and disappear.”

She blinked tears away to bring him into focus, and the sadness in his features almost made her cry even more. “I understand why you don’t want to see me,” she said slowly, “but I hate that we’re not friends any more. I feel as though you’re punishing me when I haven’t done anything wrong.”

He tilted his head and looked at her intently. “It’s not that I’m going out of my way to avoid seeing you. I’ve just stopped going out of my waytosee you.”

She sniffed and her voice came out squeaky. “What?”

“The reason you used to see me every day was because I made sure I’d see you as often as possible. If you were having dinner with Mum I’d call around there. I timed going to work so I’d pass you on your way to work.” He swallowed hard. “If you were working the late shift, I’d call in to see you after work.”

She chewed on her lip but couldn’t find any words.