Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 84

Uncontroally, Alex leaned in closer. Ellie felt a rush of warmth his breath neared her, and her mind was racing to keep up.

Then, just when things were getting tense, Alex’s phone rang. El gasped and quickly shoved Alex away. His chest was rising and falling fast, betraying the desire brewing beneath his cool facade.

“Blushing like that. Ellie. You’re not thinking I’m going to kiss you, are you?” Alex joked, trying to brush off the moment. He watched for her reaction, but as soon as she looked up at him, he quickly turned his gaze away, answered the call, and left.

Once the door clicked shut behind him. Ellie felt her whole body relax as she sank to the floor. She closed her eyes, with Alex’s unique scent still lingering in her nose. Her heart raced just thinking about their almost–kiss

Deep down, she knew it was just one of Alex’s childish jokes when he was bored. He had pulled similar stunts before. Even though she knew he was kidding, she couldn’t help but feel tense and her heart would beat faster.

Taking a deep breath, Ellie felt a wave of frustration wash over her. In the adult world, all those ambiguous moments seemed to have their own hidden reasons.

Every time Alex touched her, it went beyond normal friendly interaction. She knew he wasn’t interested in her romantically

-it was just a habit he’d had since they were kids–but she still didn’t stop it in time.

entertained fantasies about him, holding onto hope with every accidental touch. But now things were different; they were adults, and he already had someone he liked. She

same time, in the most luxurious club in Jaslands, Layton slid a bucket of ice

you

are you throwing

and filled his glass with ice.

and just as he woke up, you stormed

Trevor’s parents came to my house yesterday, asking my

at me for not finishing

was left speechless.

downing three glasses of ice–filled red wine, Alex

room–it was just him and Alex Alex’s intense stare made Layton uneasy. “Quit staring at me like

guy suddenly starts having those feelings for a girl… does it mean he likes her

pretty close lately. Don’t tell me you two haven’t hooked up yet?” Layton asked, sitting

“Not Haley.”

locked eyes with Alex for a moment, and then it hit him. He