Chapter 11

Michelle

I don’t belong at this fancy restaurant, and my only comfort is that Maddox doesn’t fit in either.

Not when he is wearing sweatpants and a hoodie-the only thing he had with him to the game. The rest of his stuff is in the back of his car.

I eye his chest, and even though his muscles are hidden behind the fabric and some cheesy slogan from our college, they are still visible. Firm and snug. Maddox is in peak condition. 1

My cheeks turn molten when his eyes catch me looking, and I stare at the floor instead. We finish our drinks in silence. There is no sign of our food, and the atmosphere is thick

Awkward.

Tense.

“They usually aren’t this slow,” Maddox comments. “Maybe they burned our food or something.”

“I bet it would still taste good even if they burnt it. I’ve never eaten at a classy dinner before. The chefs here could probably serve me dog shit, and I would still like it.” Maddox chokes on his drink and laughs tears. “Did prim and proper Michelle just say the word “dog shit” in a sentence?”

Did I?

Oh.

I did.

I shyly smile at him. “I’m not good at handling alcohol.”

He pushes his drink towards me. “If I had known alcohol could unwind you, I would have bought you a drink long ago. Here, have mine too.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” “Maybe?” I narrow my eyes at him and blush. “You’re a terrible influence. Please don’t try to inspire me to become an alcoholic.”

“You don‘t have to drink. That’s not why I brought you here.” “You don’t want me to drink?”

Warm blue eyes move over me. “No. I want you to eat with me.”

I go still and let my eyes roam his face. Maddox tilts his head as if trying to read whatever is in my expression. Whatever he sees has his features warming up around the edges.

fills his gaze. “Are you afraid of

“No.” I’m lying

be like snow and salt. But I’m already in over my head. He disarmed me when he kissed

I’m eating from his hands, but I know I can’t get used to it because

that football victory, is suspiciously flirtatious. He persuades and cajoles. He could probably charm a manager-seeking Karen at the supermarket

“Then just enjoy the food and don’t overthink,” Maddox

I say in a low tone. “Will

and I talk about on-the-surface stuff. We don’t go too deep. He asks me weird stuff, like my favorite color and

into my dessert, Maddox throws

slow down, and it feels like someone

can trust Maddox, but I don’t have any other friends to talk with. “They picked

you’re fine with

guy just ask whatever he wants and expect people to

Probably.

is the king of unfiltered

see another solution, and I’m tired of them asking me for money even though I’m a poor college student.

do you pay

but… I’m trying to give Maddox a chance to get to know me, Call

hours didn’t suit me, so I’m searching for a new one, “I blush

you better now. Your parents. Did they mistreat you or something? Is that why you’re

Mistreat me?

my dad hit me a couple of times, but my real fear comes from when Thomas raped me. I couldn’t

I wake

eyes stare out into the distance. “Yeah, that’s probably why I’m

said “we” as if we are on the same team or as if we are friends. It’s

His nostrils flare. “What?”

back a smile.

“Yes?” He drawls.

out or if you hate it. Now you’re wearing a frown and telling me we need to work on my self confidence

going with this, but whatever I said changes the demeanor on Maddox’s

down, merciless, yet not as cold as usual. “You’re weird and silent, but I have a feeling there is more to you than

“You think

is your favorite hobby? And

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