Levi's POV
"I think we should just be friends."
Those damned words keep playing on a loop in my head, even as we wheel our luggage through airport security. It's been two nights, and they still won’t leave me alone.
What a way to get turned down.
*Flashback*
She uttered the worst words a man could hear after confessing his feelings, and at the worst f*****g moment.
"Hailey—" I began to speak, but she raised her hand, stopping me.
"Let me speak, Levi," she said softly. "I liked how things have been between us, too."
Hope flickered in my chest, but it didn't live long.
"But we can't let it go on. I'm afraid one of us would get hurt... it's too risky," she continued. "If we stay just friends, we won't explore beyond the friendship level, and none of us would end up getting hurt
