Chapter 165
Chapter 165:
Inexplicably, she stopped in her tracks. Then she caught the faint clatter of keys from inside. Was Austin still working this late?
She was about to retreat when the door swung open.
Austin stood there in casual loungewear, hair still damp from a shower. He arched an eyebrow when he spotted her.
“And what exactly are you sneaking around for p>
Startled, Brinley nearly dropped the glass. “N-nothing… just bringing this back,” she stammered, thrusting it into his hands before trying to bolt.
But he caught her wrist and pulled her back.
The warmth of his touch made Brinley’s heart quiver.
“You’ve been avoiding me for days,” Austin said, staring at her. “Why p>
Brinley’s heartbeat stumbled wildly. She tried to yank her hand free, but Austin’s grip was firm. Cornered into keeping up the act, she snapped, “I’ve been p>
“Avoiding you? Come on, you’re imagining things. I’ve just been swamped with work p>
𝗧𝘩𝗼𝘂ѕ𝘢𝗻𝗱𝗌 of 𝗿𝖾𝖺𝘥еr𝘀 𝗼ո
“Is that so? And you can’t even sit down for a meal?” Austin pressed. “Is it that you regret what you said that night—wanting to brush it off as drunken talk p>
Brinley’s face burned crimson as he saw right through her. “That was just nonsense after drinking. It doesn’t mean anything p>
“Oh?” Austin leaned closer, teasing. “But I took your words seriously p>
Her mind went blank, his words striking like a thunderclap. She stared up at him, catching the amusement in his eyes, her panic written plainly across her face.
“You…” Brinley began, but her tongue failed her.
Austin let go of her wrist. Instead, his hand rose to stroke her hair, the gesture so natural, so intimate. “Go get some rest,” he murmured, then retreated into his room and shut the door softly behind him.
Brinley stood rooted in place, her fingers brushing the spot on her wrist where his warm palm had been.
Back in her room, she lay flat on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Was it really so difficult to admit she liked him?
But Colin’s face surfaced in her thoughts, the sting of his lies and betrayal pricking at her like sharp needles. Brinley squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head hard.
No. She couldn’t let history repeat itself. The more perfect Austin seemed, the more she had to keep her distance.
Falling headlong into love again was the last thing she needed.
She scolded herself over and over, but sleep wouldn’t come. Instead, Austin’s words kept echoing in her mind.
“But I took your words seriously p>