Chapter 238

Cole was trying to flirt, and I could easily ignore him, but meeting Thorsten couldn't wait. Still, his texting this late wasn't a good sign. If I replied, he might use it as an excuse to ask for something else. And if I said no, he could back out of our deal to meet his dad. The best course of action? Ignore him, just like last night.

I returned to my conversation with Lena, who was asking, "So you two made it official? No next steps?"

"What next steps?" I asked, still distracted by Cole's texts.

"What do you think? The next step in a relationship," Lena said mischievously.

I caught on immediately. "Hayden's a gentleman, okay?"

"Gentleman or not, he's still human. He must have desires. Or is he just not interested in, you know, doing his part to solve the population crisis?" Lena retorted. She sighed. "Remember, Jace was a 'gentleman' too."

I fell silent. She must have realized she'd struck a nerve, adding quickly, "I didn't mean anything by it. When people are in love, there's a rush of dopamine. It boosts adrenaline and creates a craving for physical closeness."

She was using her knowledge to analyze love, adding, "Basically, if a guy really loves you, he'll feel that urge to be with you, physically. If he doesn't, or if he can easily hold back, he's probably just not that into you."

I thought back to my years with Jace. To everyone else, we were a couple, but the closest we ever got was holding hands or awkward side hugs—except for that one time we kissed, before Tanya's call ruined it. It felt like he just wasn't that into me.

I used to think he was being respectful, a modern-day knight. Sometimes, I even wondered if I wasn't attractive enough.

But now, after Lena's analysis, I realized: he just didn't love me enough. And Jace did tell me once he wasn't interested because we were "too familiar."

"Rea, does Hayden ever show he wants to get closer? Or does he just not want to let you go?" Lena asked.

I thought about us at my door, wrapped in each other's arms, neither wanting to let go.

"Of course he does. But he's respectful. He keeps things appropriate," I said, trying to convince myself as much as her.

"Please!" Lena scoffed. "If a guy's really into you, really loves you, he'd want to merge with you, make you a part of him."

I felt my throat tighten. I went into the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and took a sip. "Wow, didn't know you were such an expert on love."

Lena caught the teasing. "I'm looking out for you. I don't want you to miss out on something good. Hayden has principles, but you can totally take the lead."

I groaned, almost choking. "Wait, you want me to seduce him?"

I rolled my eyes. "Why can't I just have a pure, genuine relationship? Why do I have to use my looks to get him?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Lena sighed. "A guy like Hayden won't stay single forever. If you don't make a move, someone else will."

I hadn't realized she was so invested in my love life.

"A man who just wants to sleep with you doesn't necessarily love you, but a man who loves you will definitely want to sleep with you," Lena concluded sagely.

I wasn't new to relationships. I'd been with Jace long enough to know how things worked. "But true love isn't just about physical stuff," I argued.

"Yeah, but desire's a part of it," Lena insisted.

I hadn't thought about it before, but now I was replaying all my time alone with Hayden. We'd hung out so many times, and nothing had happened. I know I'm attractive, and I know he likes me. So why hadn't he made a move?

Was it possible I'd found another guy who wasn't really into me? Seriously, that would be incredibly unlucky.

I felt an urge to test Hayden, to see if Lena was right. But how was I supposed to make the first move?