“Can I help you?” I repeat, refusing to hold any other conversation with him.

I see the slight irritation in his eyes, and that gives me no end of satisfaction. “I’m just trying to be friendly.”

I smile at him. “I would prefer it if you stay away from me. But since you don’t want to do that, then I would prefer it if you tell me what you want and then leave me alone. I don’t have time to waste on you.”

My words are harsh, but the wounds he delivered on my heart were ...