I shake my head, not even close to jumping down this rabbit hole with him. I don’t have it in me. “I’m fine. Seriously.” I pause and take in the expression on his face. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m okay.”
“You’re always fine.” He runs his hand over the hair on his face and sighs, his shoulders leaning onto the back of the plastic chair.
He’s not buying it. He can feel my anxiety.
He’s right. That whole fake-it-till-you-make-it thing? I own it.
What other choice do I have?
“How long are you in town?” he asks, scooting his chair a little bit closer.
Should I lie to him? Why don’t I want to?
“For two days. Maybe less. I booked a room at the W.”
“Oh, fancy.” He smiles.
“It’s so loud . . .”
He nods and thanks the server as she sets his tea in front of him. Her eyes take him in and she tucks her hair behind her ear with a big, beautiful smile that makes my stomach burn. I want to disappear.
He doesn’t look away from my eyes.
“And so unlike you,” he says.
“Huh?” I’ve already forgotten what we were even talking about.
“The hotel.” He takes a drink of his tea and I try to catch my breath.
Being around him is still so dangerous for me. Sometimes warning signs and butterflies are one and the same.