They Said He Hated Clingy Girls—So I Stopped… And He Didn’t Like It Chapter 03

They Said He Hated Clingy Girls—So I Stopped… And He Didn’t Like It Chapter 03

By the time I’d finished getting ready, Blaine had already made breakfast.

He finished before I did and sat there watching me, which only made me eat faster.

Blaine’s brow creased. “No rush,” he said.

I nodded, my mouth still full. Ten minutes later, we headed out, already running late.

The comments came flooding in, practically buzzing with excitement.

[Wait, isn’t today the day the male lead meets the female lead?]

[Yes!! She starts at the firm today. Talented, has actual social skills, and — most importantly — she actually respects people’s space.] [Which is exactly why the male lead won’t feel suffocated around her.]

[The second he meets her, he’s going to drop this one so fast.]

My heart sank. So this was the day.

A dull weight settled in my chest, and for a second, I forgot to breathe. Blaine noticed I was still standing there and said something.

“Get in the car.” I didn’t move.

“You go. I’ll get there myself.”

Blaine shut the car door and crossed over to where I was standing. He studied me for a moment.

“You’re upset,” he said. It wasn’t a question. “Because of last night? The kiss?”

I blinked up at him. “No, I’m not.”

I wasn’t angry. I’d just finally realized what I’d been doing wrong, and I was trying to fix it.

He didn’t buy it.

“Then why won’t you let me take you to work?”

I looked away. “I think we should give each other some space,” I said.

Blaine went still.

“Fine. I’ll pick you up after work,” he said, and apparently that was that.

He got back in the car and drove off. After that, I spent the whole day on autopilot. [Update: the male lead gave the female lead a ride home. He’s not coming.] [Lol at anyone who thought he’d still show up for her. Delusional.]

I walked out of the building already knowing what I’d find, and I was right — his car wasn’t there. He was usually ten minutes early.

I stood there staring at the empty curb where he always parked.

Someone called my name.

“Nora? Why are you just standing there — did you miss your ride?”

“Rush hour’s brutal right now. Skip the subway — I’ll give you a ride.”

I turned around. It was Mason Reed— new to the firm, a flashy dresser, a motorcycle helmet dangling from one hand.

My first instinct was to say no. But the sky was already turning gray, and I was tired of standing there.

So I nodded.

“Thanks,” I said. Mason was almost a foot taller than me; he settled the helmet onto my head as easily as if I weighed nothing.

“Don’t worry about it.” Then, out of nowhere, a horn blared behind us.

I didn’t even have time to turn around before Blaine was getting out of his car. He came straight to me and threaded his fingers through mine.

Then he reached up and lifted the helmet right off my head. He held it out to Mason.

“Hey,” he said. “I’m Blaine. Nora’s boyfriend.”

Mason blinked, then a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Not a great look, man. She’s been waiting out here for a while.”