chapter four

                                    

                                          
"Let's do an IOU," I say quickly. "I assume you work in the same building as me, so I'll buy a new blouse and send you the bill."
                          
"So you change your mind after we walked all the way here," Kyle says. Though he doesn't sound annoyed, I can tell that he is. "Or you just wanted to waste my time to get back at me for what happened earlier."
                          
No, no, and no. But if that's what he wants to believe, then so be it. "I literally just changed my mind," I say.
                          
"Yeah, sure," he says sarcastically.
                          
"Leave then," I tell him, and he actually looks affronted by the demand. "Leave if you think I'm wasting your time."
                          
The tension between us before was awkward, a timid agreement of sorts because of his inattention towards me. Now, the tension is taut like a bowstring, his acceptance then annoyance now morphing into anger. This only makes me angry, like I am a mirror reflecting his own emotions.
                          
"Fine," he says simply. His demeanour changes into what I can only assume would intimidate others. It's a subtle but noticeable shift, his spine straightening, his face a mask of indifference. His eyes show a range of emotions, but right now, his anger is focussed solely on me.
                          
I don't like the way that he's looking at me now, but thankfully, he turns his blue gaze from me as he turns and leaves without a backward glance.
                          
I kind of get how things disintegrated so quickly, but also at the same time, I'm surprised by how quick he was to assume that I was only getting back at him for earlier. I'm petty, sure, but not this time. If I wanted to get back at him, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to get to this point. I wouldn't have walked all the way here, because walking is the last thing I want to be doing right now. I would much rather be at my desk drinking my barista-made coffee.
                          
As I turn on my heel to head in the direction of Nordstrom, I hope to hell that I never have to see Kyle Ward again.