Adore Me (Austin Singles 3)

I grabbed my clothes and got dressed. My hands shook, and I tried not to overthink the text messages, but that evil little voice in the back of my head kept telling me Blake would never want a woman like me.

The only thing I could think of was that I needed air. I needed to breathe and think this through.

Getting control of my emotions, I took a deep breath and stepped into the bathroom.

“Blake? I need to leave.”

He poked his head out of the glass shower. “What? Why?”

“I had an urgent message from a client. It’s best if I head on over to my office.”

“I thought you were closed today?”

With a shrug, I replied, “I’m not meeting him there, but his chart with all my notes is there. I’ll need it before I call him back.”

He stared at me, and I was positive he could tell I was lying. “Are you okay, princess?”

I nodded. “Yeah, sure. Um, thanks for . . .”

For what? The amazing sex? The hotel fuck? The friends-with-benefits hookup? What was this thing between us called?

“ . . . for the amazing afternoon. Talk soon.” Before he said anything, I headed to the door.

“Morgan! Morgan, wait!”

His voice sounded pleading, but I moved my feet faster and headed for the stairwell. Before the door shut, I could hear him behind me.

“Morgan! Stop!”

A few moments later my phone rang, and I looked to see Blake’s name. I declined it and then sent him a message.

Me: I need some time to myself.

He replied instantly.

Blake: I know you saw the text. It wasn’t meant like that, Morgan. Don’t run from me.

Me: I need time, Blake. Please just let me be for now.

Blake: Time for what? Why are you pushing me away?

Me: I’ll call you. See you soon.

No more text messages came after that. I sat down on a bench a few blocks from the hotel and covered my mouth, trying not to cry. I only wished I had someone to talk to. Someone to tell me what I was doing. Why was I freaking out? And why had I just pushed him away?

THE SOUND OF my keys hitting the table seemed to echo in my empty condo. After the damn week I’d had, I needed a drink.

The intercom buzzed, and I sighed as I answered it. “This better be good.”

“Hey, Blake, it’s Raine. Let me up, will you?”

I frowned. What in the hell is she doing here?

Raine and I had been friends in college. Once we graduated though, our friendship was strictly platonic. She was a good friend and someone who had been there for me a time or two when I needed to vent about things.

My finger hovered over the button before I closed my eyes and pushed it. A minute later the elevator doors dinged, and Raine walked around the corner and smiled at me.

Giving me a wink,