Page 89 of Strings

“I don’t want you to go. I never did. Dammit, Bash, let me say what I need to say!”

He motions to the floor as if I have it.

“I’ve never had anyone do for me in my lifetime what you did for me today. And then you get me books and a phone too. No one has ever bought me anything.”

He listens intently. I’m not sure if I’m reaching him, so I continue. “I don’t know why you did all that, and it confused me because earlier I was standing in a towel right in front of you and you looked… grossed out.”

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I mean… then you said you were undressing me and I was shocked because I thought you didn’t find me attractive.”

“Talia? How could you think for one second that I’m not attracted to you?”

“You turned around. I was practically naked.”

“I turned around because I felt bad. I didn’t think you needed me ogling you today after everything that happened. I had to hold on to the counter for dear life to stop myself from following you into your bedroom.”

“You did? So youdowant me?”

“Jesus, woman. Do you hear yourself? Do I not take advantage of every possible chance to be near you?”

I shrug and he drops his keys on the couch.

“Have I not abandoned everything I’m doing every time you need anything from me?”

“Maybe.”

“Do you think I’m the kind of guy that does that for just anyone?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you not catch me staring at you every time we’re together?”

“I figured you were annoyed.” I grip the door handle behind my back for dear life. I’m so nervous. No man has ever made me feel this way. When he steps closer to me, I freeze. Oh my God. He’s so close.

He runs his fingers through his hair. “So, let me get this straight. You’re upset because I was good to you and because you thought I didn’t want you?”

I teeter my head back and forth. “Well, when you say it like that, it sounds dumb.” I charge past him into the kitchen, looking for the tequila. I open two cabinets before I remember Stella has it.

He follows me in the kitchen and I hurry past him again and over to the bottle by her pot. She’s staring at me like I’m an idiot. I feel like one.

“Talia, will you stop walking away from me?”

I try to open the bottle, but the cap is on too tight. He sighs, takes it from me, opens it with ease, and hands it back to me.

“I’m sure I loosened it.”

“You don’t need that, you know?”

“Oh yes I do.”

“No you don’t.” He takes the bottle out of my hands and places it back next to Stella.

“I need something to numb all this.”

“You don’t need to numb any of it. You need to feel it.”

He steps closer to me and my heart rate jumps through the roof. “Feel what? What is it that you think I need to feel?” I try to act irritated so he doesn’t see how nervous I am at his proximity.