He Left Me Broken Now He Wants Me Back Chapter 12
He avoided my eyes.
“Dr. Bennett.”
“The one in your department with the beard? Married five years? I’ve met him.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
“These tactics are ancient, Rowan. And the actors watch their sugar. Almost no one drank the coffee.”
I tossed the bouquet into a public trash can on the curb.
“And I don’t like flowers.”
He stared at the discarded bouquet, his face unreadable.
After that, the weird gifts stopped.
I thought he’d finally gotten the message.
A week later, I got back to Jenna’s building and saw an “Out of Order” sign on the elevator. A note from management said a part was broken and it would be at least a four-hour wait.
I stood in the lobby with my crutch, wondering what to do, when a familiar voice sounded behind me.
“Olivia.”
Rowan came in carrying a large box. He glanced at the notice, then set the box on the floor.
“I’ll carry you up.”
“No.”
“You live on the twelfth floor. Your leg can’t handle that many stairs. Are you going to wait down here for four hours?”
I didn’t answer.
He stepped in front of me, turned his back, and crouched.
“Get on.”
I looked at the motionless elevator doors. Fine.
I climbed onto his back. He hooked an arm securely under my legs and rose slowly to his feet.
“What’s in the box?”
“Books on script structure and stage writing. A professor of mine made a list. Some are out of print. It took a while to track them down.”
He carried me all the way to the twelfth floor without stopping.
Once I was steady on my feet, I took out my phone.
“Thank you. I can Venmo you.”
He froze.
“I don’t want your money. Liv, we don’t have to settle up for every little thing.”
“Really? Because you’re the one who wanted me to handle everything myself. You’re the one who thought I was a hassle. I thought you were the one who wanted to draw a clear line between us.”
His face went pale.
“I know I was wrong. I didn’t understand. I won’t do that again.”
I stood in the doorway, blocking his path.
“That’s a problem for you and your next girlfriend. Assuming anyone’s willing to take the job.”
He said nothing.
“And don’t bring those books up. I don’t need them.”
“But—”
I shut the door before he could finish.