Page 13 of Becoming His

“No, I’m just not feeling great. Plus, I’m super tired.” I stared at the ground as his arms released me, making me shiver.

“Sure you are, and I’m Mary Poppins.”

I let out a laugh then as he nodded at his car.

“Let me take you home.” My eyes met his, and he held his hands up.

“To yours, not mine. don’t get the wrong idea,Annabelle.” I followed him to his car and sank into the seat gratefully before quickly checking the back seat, much to his surprise.

“Are you expecting someone?” He laughed, and I frowned.

“Cindy, wasn’t it?”

He nodded slowly.

“Yeah, she’s still partying. I’m super tired too.”

“Bullshit,” I muttered, and he laughed.

“Bullshit indeed, but let’s stick to our excuses, hmm? Makes it a hell of a lot easier going forward.”

He turned on the heaters in the car, and I sank back into the seat, suddenly feeling tired for real.

“I’m sorry you lost the bet,” I whispered as he drove, causing him to glance at me quickly before looking back at the road.

“Don’t worry about it. It was only a hundred bucks. You’ll have to owe me. That’s the first girl that’seversaid no to a date with me.”

“I’d be the second.” I yawned, and he shook his head in amusement.

“No, you wouldn’t because I wouldn’t ask you,” he smirked, and I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the hurt I felt.

Why? Why do I even care whether Bailey would ask me out or not?!

“Well, that was my first date,” I admitted, my cheeks coloring.

He stared at me before looking back at the road.

“Seriously?”

I glared at him, feeling annoyed.

“Why would I say it if it weren’t true?”

We were silent until we reached my house, then he turned the engine off and studied me.

“I don’t know what it is about you, Anna, but I still want to help you.”

I went to open the car door, but I turned to him instead.

“Look what happened the last time youhelpedme. It’s okay. I appreciate the ride; I’m sorry about the bet, but now you can go back to your playboy lifestyle, and I can go back to Mr. Darcy. We don’t need to speak again.”

“But Anna-”

“No, Bailey. You and I are worlds apart—total opposites. I don’t know how you do it; I’m exhausted from living the popular lifestyle for even one day. I just want to go back to being me.”

I got out of the car, but so did he. I groaned and looked at him with exasperation as he spoke.

“Going back to being you, what’s that, being unhappy again? Hiding behind your baggy clothes and your hair? Come on, Annabelle. You deserve to smile more.”