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Chapter 1

I’M SORRY, GEORGIA, IT’S just, just”

I waited, staring at his handso sense of déjà vu I chafed ainst my jeans and told myself it wasn’t possible

This was how the conversation started when Harris broke up with o The only difference in this scenario was that this guy wasn’t Harris Not even close Joshua wasn’t my boyfriend We’d been on four dates Four So as he looking atin that condescending tone? And using those words?

This couldn’t be happening Not again

I shifted on the plush leather seat of his car and played withsuddenly I was anywhere but here Since our first date, I’d known there weren’t any sparks, but I agreed to a second date and a third because he was the kind of guy I wanted On paper anyway A senior at Dartford, he was already accepted into optoood family His father was a church deacon Joshua volunteered at the local food bank I couldn’t have found a better guy I convincedrelationships weren’t built on cherounds That’s what counted

My phone rang inside my purse I quickly peeked inside Mom I pushed it to silent and returned to the hot aardness of the moment I’d call her back later After whatever this rapped up I refused to think of it as a breakup I wasn’t invested enough

I wasn’t being duain

Joshua leaned in closer, sliding his aret closer to impart whatever he was about to say A cloud of expensive-s my nostrils

“I’ sound with his tongue “You’ve got e written all over your face”

My cheeks went hot

He continued, “I’m just not ready for that kind of commitment yet”

I pulled back until the back of erSuddenly the pasta primavera I’d had for dinner felt like acid in aze to stare out the windshield at the lawn of dead grass bordering o, and the grass hadn’t quite recovered yet

I took a long, pained blink and focused on his face again “Okay,” I began, clearing et the fact that we’re not even officially a ‘thing,’ butare you breaking up with me?”

He nodded sagely “Yeah I am”

“Is this because I haven’t slept with you?” God knew he’d been trying since the first date After dinner tonight, he’d invited me back to his apart”up” with me? Jerk

His face flushed, his tanned skin turning ruddy “You have a high opinion of yourself”