Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

He nods, accepting my answer.

But it lingers in the air.

He wishes he called.

He wishes things were different.

He wishes we had a chance.

Chapter Twenty

Chloe

We make it through the rest of the seven-mile hike without another mention of the night we spent together.

But my thoughts never turn to the Malibu canyons or the Pacific Ocean or the million-dollar houses on the cliffs.

They stay on Dean.

He's sorry he hurt me.

He still regrets it.

Still thinks about me.

But is that enough?

He's still my boss.

This is still a terrible idea.

And my heart…

It's still committed to his.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chloe

"Do your best with my banana." Dean slaps the piece of fruit on the desk.

It's Wednesday. The night before the test. Four days since he apologized. Since I fell asleep thinking about all the ways he could make it up to me.

Okay, that's bullshit.

I've fallen asleep thinking about him every night for a month straight.

I pick up my gun. Stare at the yellow flesh. I'm at work and I'm paying attention, dammit. "A star?"

"Whatever inspires you."

"Sure." My fingers curl around the metal. At this point, the weight and feel of the gun are familiar. It belongs in my hands. It makes sense there.

Dean goes into a trance when he's working.

Maybe I can do the same.

I turn the gun on. Focus on bringing it to the fruit's flesh.