Break Up with Him, for Me (You Belong With Me 1)

A guy who looked a few years younger than me walked over to Hayden with his cell phone held high.

“You’re my idol,” he said. “Can I please take a selfie with you?”

Hayden nodded, but he kept his eyes on mine; the guy snapped the shot without noticing.

Tatiana moved behind me. “Do you want me to leave you two alone?”

“No,” I said. “Please stay.”

Hayden walked over, stopping right in front of me.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said, his voice hoarse.

I didn’t say anything in response. I simply stared at him.

“I’ve missed you.” He looked into my eyes. “I’ve called you twenty times a day, left messages, and sent flowers. I’ve paid for ads on all the shows you watch, and I penned a letter in The New Yorker.” He paused. “Have you seen any of those things?”

“No.” I lied, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’ve been trying my best to take a certain someone’s advice and move on.”

“Have you?”

“Not yet.” Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You look good, too, Hayden. I bet Anya loves waking up next to you.”

“I would never cheat on you, Penelope,” he said. “Those pictures aren’t what you think they are, but even still, I should’ve never asked for space with you. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back and make it up to you.” He stepped close enough for me to inhale the scent of his cologne.

We stared into each other’s eyes for several moments, the unspoken words remained unsaid.

“Is this the type of condo you really want to buy?” he asked finally. “These aren’t your style.”

“I plan to renovate,” I said. “I’m bidding on it for the space and the amenities, so that—”

“So that what?”

“I was planning to call you sometime next week.” I refused to go there. “There’s something important I need to tell you.”

“I’m standing in front of you now.” He closed the gap between us. “No need to wait a week.” He lifted his hand and pressed it against my cheek, sending warmth through my entire body. “What is it?”

“Please write your initial bids on your cards for the first round!” The curator called from the other room. “You’re free to outbid your first one, but this is to ensure accuracy for the speaker.”

“I have to go,” I said. “I need to bid on this.”

“Or, you can let me buy it for you.” He grabbed my hands. “I need you to hear me out right now, Pen. We need to talk.”

“We will.” I stepped back. “Next week.”

I walked away from him before he could say anything else.

Anxious, I grabbed a paddle and a marker. Then I took a seat in the front row.

“For the first round, we are offering four condos identical to this one,” the curator said. “To start the bidding, I now welcome—”

“If you won’t talk to me in private, I’ll talk to you in public.” Hayden was suddenly in front of me, his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched.

“Sir, this is a bidding process.” The curator cleared his throat. “If you’re interested in staying, you can register and—”

“If you believe that I would ever hurt you after all we’ve been through together, you are sadly mistaken.”

The room filled with whispers, then those soft conversations dissolved into silence.

“I can’t go another day without you talking to me.” His voice was hoarse. “I have never felt for anyone else what I feel for you, and you’re more than my best friend, Penelope. I think that you always have been.”

Tears fell down my face.

“I’ve loved you since breakup number fifteen.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “I wanted you to be mine back then, but I loved you enough to want you to focus on your own career…”

My breathing slowed.

“I love you, and I know you’ve read my letter,” he said. “I can see it in your eyes, but just do we’re clear, I’m in love with you—every part of you, and I will never give you advice on landing another guy again, because you belong with me. And if you give me a second chance, you’ll never have to experience another breakup again.”

The room was now silent enough to hear a pin drop. The words I wanted to say aloud were trapped under my tongue.

I could feel everyone in the room staring at us, begging me to give him an answer.

“Please.” Hayden leaned close enough that our lips nearly touched. “Please, take me back, Penelope.”

I swallowed. “I never wanted to give you a breakup title.”

“You don’t have to,” he said. “Take me back.”

“Okay.” I nodded, feeling fresh tears fall down my face.

“Okay yes or okay you need to think about it?”

“Okay, yes and let’s leave.”

He kissed me without any regard for the guests, without caring whether they were recording this or not.