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Sean laughs again, taking a sip of my iced tea.

One of my first dates with Graham was at a bar just like this one—he also couldn’t handle men looking at me. He’d laughed at me, just as Sean is now.

The last thing I need is another man not taking me seriously.

I jump off of the bar stool and head for the door. I don’t want to argue in front of people.

“Bee!” Sean yells after me, his laughter subsiding.

When I step outside, my feet nearly slip from the freshly fallen snow.

It’s early for snow. We don’t usually see it until February.

Sean is behind me, still trying to stop me. “Bee—”

“I don’t need this,” I say, spinning around to face him.

“What do you mean?” he asks, reeling back.

“The drama. This is why I was worried about us getting together. That it would ruin things. You wouldn’t be acting this way if I hadn’t kissed you,” I nearly snarl. I gasp at my own words. I know I’m being too cruel.

“So, what? You regret kissing me now?” he asks, pain radiating in his eyes. “I thought you wanted this.”

“I want you, Sean. Not the person I just saw in there.”

“Look, I’m sorry I flipped out. I just—I don’t want to lose you again, and that guy he’s not—”

I cut him off before he can continue making excuses.

“You can’t be this way. You have to trust me. We haven’t even talked about what happened between us, and we’re already fighting about our relationship.”

My body shivers under the harsh wind, snow flakes hitting my nose and cheeks.

I shove my hands deep into my pockets. “I need some time to think,” I finally say.

“Don’t run away from me. Not again,” he whispers.

“I’m not running—I just need a moment to breathe.”

“But why? I thought we were taking the next step? I didn’t kiss you, Billie. You kissed me.”

“I know—” I run my hands through my hair.

What am I doing?

“Look, I’m going to go to my dad’s early tonight. I think this is just too much right now. Just give me a couple of days.”

“A couple days?”

“I’ll call you.” I step backward.

“Why does this feel like you leaving me?”

“Because I’m walking to my car.” I take a few more steps.

“That’s not what I mean.” He tilts his chin up, his expression turning to stone.

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