Page 77 of How to Break My Heart

I drop my head, staring at the floor. “I want to do it myself. Save my money and open when the time is right, plus there’s a house I’m working toward purchasing. I’m trying to adult the right way.”

“I understand. If you change your mind, the offer is on the table.”

I could never imagine being in business with Aston. When I initially borrowed from the bank, it was a small amount that I managed to pay off in the first year. The timing right now isn’t ideal. I don’t feel confident expanding when sales are not as great as I would have hoped. For now, I’ve parked the idea, but never say never.

“Listen, I spoke to Maddy last night…” I begin. He cocks his head, waiting for me to finish. “She asked if we are getting along. Look, I know things have, um… escalated. But I think we should stop and just be friends. For Maddy’s sake. I don’t like lying to her, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Whatwe’redoing. We fooled around, so be it. Time to move on.”

Slowly, he places his hand in his pocket and retrieves his phone. He taps on the screen to read a message, then places it back in his pocket.

“If that’s what you want, Everleigh,” he responds in a notably cold tone.

I nod, then avoid his eyes. “That’s what I want, Aston.”

Reaching beneath the counter, he fetches his coat and pullsit on. I lower my gaze, ignoring the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I know I’m doing the right thing.

I need to end it before it starts.

But why does it feel so damn wrong?

Aston presses his lips together in a slight grimace. “I hope Billie’s mother recovers.”

With his back toward me, I watch him walk out of the café, never turning around.

My shoulders slump as I bury my head in my hands.

This didn’t need to be so difficult.

It should have been easy.

But as I stand here and think about all the reasons why being friends is the right thing to do, my body arguesevery single point.

It’s only a matter of time before I lose all control and break the rules.

My phone sits beneath the counter where Aston stored his jacket. I reach down to view a message on the screen. It was sent earlier this morning, during the rush, when Maddy was helping out.

Aston

You’re driving me crazy.

It’s four simple words.

I want to smile, laugh, kiss his lips, and tell him the exact same thing.

He is drivingmejust as crazy.

But we’re just friends.

I made sure of it.

And friends don’t go saying things like this.

As much as I want to text him back, I tuck my phone away and remember the fun is over.

Besides, I have a wedding to plan and a best friend to honor.

The reason why I’m not in bed with Aston and standing here miserable instead.