Page 78 of Blame it on the Kiss
The answer came quickly and easily.
“Could I have a few minutes alone with your sister?” he said to Coop.
Cooper looked at Honor. She nodded. “Okay, I’ll just eat my burger over at the bar,” he said, taking the plate out of the waitress’s arms as he stood. Bryce and Honor were served their meals.
A few seconds ticked by, both of them still, the wild beat of Bryce’s heart pounding in his ears. He’d known the truth for a while now, but had been too chicken to acknowledge it. Not until he’d been forced to make a decision.
“I can’t do this,” Honor blurted out.
“What?” He hadn’t heard her right.
“Whatever we’ve been doing, it’s over.”
Bryce’s clothes felt two sizes too small. His throat burned hotter than the Mojave Desert. “It’s not over.”
“It is.”
“Because of Cooper? Because of how he feels?” He took her hand. She pulled it away.
“No. Not because of Coop.” Her words came out in a rush, her breathing uneven. “Or not just because of him. I’m not the right girl for you, Bryce.”
“What are you talking about? You’re—”
“Don’t say perfect. Please don’t say anything. I can’t deal with all these feelings. I’m not capable of handling them without hurting you.” She blinked, her eyes darted to the table, the floor, his chest, her lap, everywhere but at his face. “What happened with Lance, it would destroy me if I caused someone pain like that again.”
“Honor.” It killed him to see her so upset. She was capable. If she’d just believe in herself like he did.
“I’m not a white picket fence kind of girl. You want babies and commitment.” She let out another shaky breath.
His chest squeezed. He did want those things. And he knew she didn’t. Had he been fooling himself into believing their casual affair meant as much to her as it did to him? That he could change her?
“And someone who will follow through on her promises.”
“You follow—”
“Maybe. Eventually. But right now I can only concentrate on one thing. And that one thing should be me.”
He stared at her profile. She wouldn’t even look him in the eye when she blew him off. The one thing he hadn’t pegged her for was selfish, which proved he didn’t know her at all.
“I wish you could see yourself through my eyes,” he said. Despite the beating she flung at him, his heart still wanted her.
She tossed her napkin onto her untouched meal and stood. “Cooper deserves you more than I ever could. I hope this doesn’t mean he’s lost you.” Her eyes met his and he nearly broke seeing her unshed tears. “Let him know I’m waiting outside while you two finish up.”
Bryce forced himself to stay in his chair, rather than run after her. He watched her walk away because that’s whatshewanted.
…
Honor turned on the shower. While the water heated she brushed her teeth, her attention on the sink bowl. She knew what she’d find if she looked in the mirror—the same sad Sandy face that had stared back at her all week. She hated that face.
Her nose twitched as she wiped her mouth on a towel. Steam billowed around the ceiling and she closed her eyes as she shut the shower door and stood under the warm spray of—
“What the!” She stepped to the side and studied the water spilling from the showerhead. The smell she’d gotten a faint whiff of intensified. Was that chicken soup?
She stomped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around herself and threw open the bathroom door.
“April Fools!” Coop shouted.
“What in the world did you do?”
