““Why am I getting so worked up over this? Because I like him and I feel like he’s telling me, in code, that I’m not worth his time. That starting something with me would be a mistake. I’m officially giving up being logical about this. He should too. I already know it’s going to suck saying good-bye, so he should kiss me and at least give me a tingly memory to take back with me. “I might be different.” I clench my teeth when I realize I said that out loud, keeping myself from saying any more. “Pippa.” He breathes a sigh, eyes looking everywhere but at me. “You are different.” I slowly turn toward him on the bench, pleading with my eyes for him to look at me. Footsteps crunching gravel behind me rob me of my daydream, and an older couple approaches the metal railing near the cliff edge. The tired-looking woman glances back at the bench with longing. “You can sit here,” Darren says to her. He clasps my hand, sending a current up my arm to my chest. “We were just leaving.” He leads me back down the path and for the brief moment he keeps hold of my hand, it’s the only thing anchoring me to the ground.””
