I Could Read Minds But Never His Sincere Love Chapter 05

I Could Read Minds But Never His Sincere Love Chapter 05

My fingers shook as I opened it. The interview, the synopsis, every line of it screamed Clara.

Miles ran cold, but he could write like nobody I’d ever met. The second I saw it, I sent his manuscript to an editor I knew.

She took him on, and his first book blew up.

That was the first time he ever gave me a real, genuine smile.

He poured everything he felt onto the page. He just never told me what any of it was about.

So I read his drafts in secret. His heroine was a therapist, and I carried that thought around, glowing for weeks.

The memories tore into me. A tear hit the screen and blurred the title into nothing.

It was never me. It was Clara.

The last thing I expected was for Miles to track me down. He looked wrecked, and it threw me.

“What do you want?”

His hand clamped down on mine, too hard, like he’d lost control.

“Do you have to blow everything up like this?”

I stared at him. I had no idea what he was talking about.

“Have you lost your mind?”

—

“Me? You threw a fit until I said yes. Twenty years of you trailing after me, and now the wedding’s off overnight. What do you think this is, Hazel?”

He was still breathing hard. Something small and sore ached in my chest, and I asked carefully.

“Isn’t this what you wanted? You came all this way to say this. Was any of it, even a little, because you love me?”

He stopped. His hand dropped from mine, and he stepped back.

Nothing came through. Silence. That same damn silence.

I was done letting it drain me.

“Nothing to say? Then go.”

He hesitated, and something in his voice faltered.

“Hazel, nobody signed up to put up with your tantrums. Marriage is a serious thing, it’s not playing house…”

“If you came here to lecture me, you can leave.”

I cut him off without blinking.

“Fine. Don’t regret it.”

He left it there and walked into the crowd until I couldn’t see him.

You’re the one who never understood me, Miles. When I decide something, I never look back.

Westbridge accepted me fast. I packed my bags and got in the car for the airport.

—

I told my parents not to come. If I’d had to hear them crying inside their own heads, I’d never have gotten on that plane.

I was through security when my phone buzzed. Clara.

[Hazel, where have you been? I stopped by the center and there were guys in there gutting it. Are you moving? Why didn’t you call me to help?]

I ignored it. A minute later they started piling in.

[Hazel, are you still mad? I know how to answer your question now. The one from that day.]

[Hazel, okay. I did feel something for Miles. But not if it costs me you. Never that.]

[Hazel, I know you’re angry. We’re both psychologists. Microexpressions don’t lie. If you can’t forgive me, fine, I’ll take that. Just talk to me again when you’ve cooled off?]

[Hazel. Don’t cut me out. Please.]

I read them and my throat closed up. It hurt worse than the day I found out he wanted her.

On the plane I watched the sun go down through the window without really seeing it. More messages came in, and they were from Miles.

[Hazel, can we talk?]

[Where are you? Your parents said you left town. Is that true?]

[When you get back, I promise, we’ll actually talk this time.]