I can tell he’s fired up, but he forces himself to nod, his jaw tight and his eyes dark. We continue walking at a strained speed in total silence. Three blocks seem to last forever until we’re back in front of his hotel.

Out of nowhere, I have the urge to ask him something.

“You’ve told me more than once that you read my books. Did you like them?” I don’t know why it’s important for me to know, but it is.

“I did like your books,” Ryan says after a pause. “They’re not my style but they were great.”

I accept his answer with a small smile. Seconds tick by until I say, “Well, apart from a few minor bumps, I think this was a fairly civil evening.”

“Right. Hardly any bloodshed.”

I’m not quite sure how to take that comment. I don’t have time to dwell on it before he steps forward and gives me a brief hug. I’m soon stepping back, a little startled as I stand across from him.

A second later, I go from startled to panicked when he reaches forward and takes hold of my hand, slowly entwining his fingers through mine.

This isn’t right. People who can only tolerate each other aren’t supposed to hold hands. This is all wrong. Completely wrong. Then why aren’t I pulling away?

“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice shaky.

“I don’t know how to act around you,” he says, looking down at our hands before moving his gaze back up to mine. “After we broke up, I used to imagine that I’d get you to fall back in love with me so I could leave you. I used to think about that a lot.”

My breath turns shallow. I try to pull my hand away but he won’t let go.

“You’re acting like I ended things for no reason.”

“I know why you ended things,” he says. “Forget what I said. I’m not setting you up for some evil plot. I’m just trying to figure this out. I thought I hated you.”

“I thought I hated you, too.”

Ryan loosens his hold on my hand while also pulling me closer. “You know what I like the most about reading your books? I like how when I read them, I hear your voice in my head. I like knowing that I can hear you when no one else can.”

I don’t move as his eyes shift from uncertain to clear. He leans in, going so slowly and giving me plenty of time to stop him. I don’t. Our foreheads touch and his breath is warm against my face. I feel it everywhere.