Free Perfectly Hopeless by Holly Hood Page A

Maves,” he said from behind her.
     
    “ Go away, Jake.”
     
    Jake smirked. “You can’t tell me you don’t think about you and me anymore.”
     
    Maven pulled it together turning to face Jake again. “No. I don’t think about you and me anymore. There’s nothing to think about. You’re a big fat mistake, a regret I wish I could totally remove from my memory.” She kept a straight face daring him to say anything more.
     
    “ You moved on huh?” Jake shot a look in Henri’s direction. Henri was fast approaching with a gallon of paint and two brushes. “He’s kind of scrawny. A bit weird too. Doesn’t seem like your type.”
     
    Maven ignored him. She had nothing to say nor did she feel like she had to defend Henri or any guy to Jake. Jake meant nothing.
     
    “ I hear the kid has issues.” Jake really knew how to get under somebody’s skin. “I wonder what’s wrong with him. I’m sure it’s something dreadful.”
     
    Maven slapped Jake in the arm. She pushed him next, almost taking down a group of girls walking behind them. “Just get the hell out of here, Jake!”
     
    He stared at Maven, shocked she was lashing out at him. It wasn’t like her. He opened his mouth to speak.
     
    “ Nobody cares what you have to say!” She screamed before he could form words. “You cheated on me and lied to me our entire relationship. Why do you think I care what you have to say?”
     
    Jake shook his head. The crowd gathered had heard every word and he felt stupid now. He didn’t like looking like an idiot. He pushed through the gawking crowd taking off.
     
     
     
    Henri dropped the paint at his feet, watching Jake hightailing it down the middle of the street, his tail between his legs. Whatever Maven had said really did a number on him. He carefully looked over at her, careful not to step in her space. He knew Jake was a sensitive issue for her.
     
    Maven brushed her bangs from her eyes, sniffling. She was crying. Crying like an idiot, and doing a wretched job at hiding behind her hair so that the crowd couldn’t see her misery.
     
    “ I’m sorry. He just really knows how to get to me.” She lifted the paint. “I would think I would know how to ignore him by now. But he always is right there in my face.”
     
    Henri shrugged. “No worries, looks like he is long gone now.” He kneeled down, dipping a paint brush into the black paint.
     
    “ I swear this isn’t the way I usually am.” She took a deep breath, trying to smile in spite of all the tears that just kept fighting to come out.
     
    Henri dropped his paintbrush. He took her face in his hands staring deeply into her eyes. Not uttering a sound just watching her emotions seep out in front of him. His thumbs dragging under her eyes taking care of every tear that escaped.
     
    Maven squeezed his arm. “Thanks.”
     
    Henri shook his head. “Don’t thank me. That guy is an idiot. Anyone who treats a girl like you badly is an idiot. And he doesn’t deserve your tears, so just turn them off and we’ll paint. But I’m not letting you go until all the tears are gone.”
     
    Maven’s eyes fluttered, she took a deep cleansing breath. Several girls from her school off in the distance watching Henri and her. Henri gained her attention again. “Forget about everyone. They don’t matter. Who cares if you cried, so what? Everyone cries. Just close your eyes.”
     
    Maven did as he asked. “Okay.”
     
    Henri looked over at the girl’s giving Maven dirty looks. It was amusing to all these people to see Maven’s unhappiness play out in public. He lifted her chin, placing a kiss on her lips. The world suddenly didn’t matter as he kissed her. Maven didn’t feel panicked any longer. She opened her eyes.
     
    “ Henri, you didn’t have to do that.” She touched his face. “I’m okay now.”
     
    “ I didn’t have to. I just wanted to.” He pushed her hair behind her ear for her. “They are not going to ruin your