Page 47 of How to Break My Heart

“Yes, I picked her up this morning” is all Maddy says. “It was a long car ride of silence.”

I read the signs and decide not to ask any more questions, since whatever is happening appears to be a family issue. If Maddy wants to talk, which I know she will, I’ll surely hear about it later.

Maddy says goodbye, reminding me she’ll call me later this afternoon, then bolts out the door, leaving us alone again.

Well, not entirely alone, since Billie is still stalking by the counter.

“So, I think we’re done here.” I push the chair back to stand, notebook in hand, and then smile. “Have a nice day.”

As I attempt to turn my back to Aston, he reaches out and wraps his hand around my wrist to stop me. Again with the wrist grabbing, which does something to me I can’t explain. I bite my lip, ignoring the blood pumping through my veins. After last night, I thought I got it out of my system, but with just one touch, I’m again proven wrong.

“We’renotdone,” he commands.

“I think we are. You have your list of things, and I have mine, which includes visiting a violinist this afternoon, since she’s willing to fit me in. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have some emails to send out before I leave for the drive.”

He lets go of my wrist, but his gaze is unwavering. “I’m coming with you.”

“You’re not coming with me to listen to wedding music. You’ll get bored, then make my life hell.”

“I’m supposed to help with these things as well, so I won’t take no for an answer.” Aston stands, towering over me. His eyes fall to my lips, watching them intently before I see him shake his head like he’s been caught up in some sort of trance. “I’ll be parked out front at noon.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m not getting in your penis mobile again. Look, I can do this myself. I’m sure you have work to do.”

Aston doesn’t respond, but with his gaze piercing, I know there’s no stopping him.

“Twelve p.m., Everleigh. Be ready.”

“Fine! But why do you have to be such a jerk all the time?”

A devious smile plays on his lips before he leans in and whispers, “You’re an easy target, Miss Woods. But if you want, I’ll play nice. Though I’m much more fun when I’m playing dirty.” He pulls away, cocking his head with a dismissive glance. As he walks out of the café, I stand still, watching him, not realizing Billie is standing beside me.

“Oh, Eva. You’re in big, big trouble…” she teases.

I shake my head, blinking rapidly. “What did I do?”

“You’ve caught the attention of the playboy,” she informs me with a bemused smile. “There’s nowhere to run now.”

“There’s always a way to escape,” I say, barely above a whisper. “I’ve escaped him once, and I can do it again…”

Iwantto believe my words. Ineedto believe my words.

We just need boundaries. So, they’ve been crossed a few times already. Big deal. All I need to do is treat him like my best friend’s older brother and remember the one I want in my bed is Marco.

And the best way to do that? Make these wedding appointments unbearable for the playboy.

Starting this afternoon…

CHAPTER 14Aston

Madelina knows how to push my buttons without even trying.

Her reckless comment, you’regetting laid by a doctor, put me in a pissed-off mood for the rest of our meeting. Not only that, but I was also forced to listen to Madelina talk about dresses. Like I fucking care if she wears lace or not.

I insisted on joining Everleigh for this tedious task of auditioning music acts to prove a point—I won’t get bored. But now I’m standing here listening to middle-aged women play a Beyoncé song on their violin and cello.

Nobody willingly wants to listen to pathetic love songs.

I can’t think of anything worse.