9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Eva
There’s no way the voice I’m hearing is the one I think it is. The one that still floods my dreams at night. The one that, no matter how hard I try to forget it, has plagued every waking second since the last time I saw him.
It can’t be.
“Little Warrior.”
Slamming my eyes shut, I play out every reason—every possible explanation for why the man who ran away from me when I put myself out there, is here. The same place as me. At a function for women speakers who have started successful businesses from scratch.
I haven’t seen him in three years. Haven’t even heard from him. It’s like he vanished from thin air with a poof of smoke. One minute he was there, the next, bang, he was gone. I still feel guilt and shame. I relived the moment over and over a thousand times in my head, questioning why the hell I made a move with a man who wasn’t ready. Not only that, but a man I barely knew. Stupidly, I’d hung on tight to the idea that he might come back and explain himself. But he never did, and I cursed myself for believing he would.
“Eva.”
My heart leaps to my throat when he says my name. The overwhelming feeling of fear and rejection that I faced, slams into my chest. Ignoring the hand outstretched for me, I push myself to stand. My eyes still haven’t ventured to his .
“Will you please look at me?” Luke asks softly, placing his rejected hand into the pocket of his suit trousers.
I don’t want to look up. I don’t want to face the man whom I thought shared some deeper connection with me in just a few short days. I don’t owe him anything. I take a calming breath, then with a quick glance to the door where my friends are, I straighten my spine.
I was already a woman when I met him. But I’m certainly no longer the woman he met. No longer delusional and na?ve, I’ve learned that life is no fairy tale. Not everyone gets their happy ending. Life can be cruel and challenging, and no matter how nice or hard-working you are, sometimes you just lose. Because someone has to, right? Someone always has to lose.
But why’s it got to be me?
Just get this over with , I tell myself, sucking in a deep breath through my nose. The quicker I rip off the bandage, the quicker I can go back to my reality. My safe space.
I follow the trace of the perfectly pressed crease up the length of his leg. Trailing over the bottom of his navy-blue suit jacket, my eyes dance over the expensive looking waistcoat he’s wearing. I pause, watching his Adam’s apple press against the material of his crisp, white shirt as he swallows, before I allow myself to find his eyes.
I melt, sinking back into the heels I’m wearing, seeing his expression matching mine. It’s relief and confusion all rolled into one.
“Long time, no see,” he says simply, like it’s no big deal.
I huff, keeping my eyes on his, trying not to enter a momentary daze. The sound of his husky voice makes my hands clench around my bag. He oozes sex. Power drips from him. His hair is still on the longer side how I remember it, only now it’s styled and well-kempt on top of his head. He looks every bit the opposite to how he did. “You could say that.” My voice is dry.
Luke’s lip twitches like there are a million things he wants to say. Instead, he takes a small, closing step forward. I want to step back, but my heels are rooted to the spot. “How have you been?” he asks, making me smile with sheer contempt.
“Seriously?” I answer with a mild quiver to my words .
Luke’s eyes travel over every inch of my face. “I’m very serious, Eva,” he says slowly. Firmly.
I look around feeling eyes on us, but Luke never stops looking at me. The pressure of his unmoving gaze feels like a weight pressing down on my chest. Breathing gets harder. Hiding the way my skin is prickling under his stare becomes impossible.
Feeling my words jumble and my legs begin to shake, I manage a small smile. “I’m fine. Better than that, actually. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back inside.”
I dip my right shoulder and step around his dominating presence. Jesus. Even in my heels I don’t reach his full height. I begin backing up as Luke turns his body to me. I stop, immediately regretting it. It’s like looking at him is my kryptonite.
“Let me take you back to your seat at least.”
I spin to look at the member of staff who dragged me out here. “There’s a problem with my ticket.” I look back at Luke. “I need to sort that out.”
When I look again at the man behind the counter, I watch as he looks up at Luke.
I don’t miss Luke dipping his chin, and when I look back at the man now holding out my ticket, it all makes sense. Spinning around, Luke’s eyes narrow when they meet mine. “It was you?”
One hand raises and he drags it through his hair like he needs to correct it. He doesn’t. “I needed to talk to you.”
I let out an incredulous laugh then turn and walk to the man still holding my ticket. I snatch it from his grasp and begin making my way back inside the room, my stride confident. How dare he.
Luke’s in front of me before I can get the door open. “Don’t walk away from me, Eva.”
My face creases. He’s got a nerve. “Get out of the way.” I move to open the door, but he steps in front of it once again. With a jolt, my lips press into a hard line. “You ran away, Luke. I didn’t hear from you in three years. Three years, ” I whisper-shout, looking behind me quickly to see if anyone’s looking. “You have no right— ”
My head swings to him at the same time as he lowers his face to mine. His smell swamps me, the sweet, masculine scent making my breath get caught.
“I know I have no right. But you need to let me explain.”
I swallow, feeling enclosed as his breath hits my face. My lips part, but I’m saved from having to find my escape when the door opens from the other side.
“Eva?” Jamie says in a hurried tone.
I look at Luke when she does. Her eyes then flit to mine, widening with grave annoyance.
“I’m coming.” I step past Luke, grateful for Jamie’s appearance.
I’m stopped when his hand grabs my elbow, the other stopping the door from closing.
We both look at it. “I need five minutes of your time. That’s all.”
“Luke—”
“Five minutes, Eva.”
Flustered, I see Jamie shake her head before she begins making her way back to her seat. Tiffany’s still talking. Thankfully the lights shining on her are bright. There’s a chance she can’t see me from her space on the stage.
The pull of his touch is strong, but as a few people’s attention draws to us standing by the door, I yank my arm free. Keeping my voice quiet, I say, “If I ever see you again, Luke, I’ll consider it. But right now, I need to go.”
I don’t look back as I hurry to my seat, quickly sitting with my eyes fixed on Tiffany. She double takes when she sees me, and I blow her a kiss.
With a subtle wink, she carries on telling everyone here how she turned her life around. How she managed to break the rules and in a short amount of time, flipped her life on its head.
I’m still trying to breathe like a normal person when Jamie leans her head towards me. “Are you going to explain how you know that man?”
“Shh.” I lift my finger to my lips, just the thought of Luke makes me instantly hot and bothered again.
She frowns wickedly. Shit. I’ve upset her. “Why are you talking to a strange guy, Eva?”
She’s a fine one to talk. I keep my head forward, trying to listen to Tiffany. “He’s a nobody. It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry for not coming back sooner. ”
Jamie scoffs under her breath at the same time the sound of the main door shutting can be heard.
Tiffany elegantly commands the stage as she simultaneously talks. I follow her movements, hearing Jamie grumble once more as she faces forward.
I know who’s entered the room before I see him. The smell of him hits my nose, hot heat rippling through my core. The empty seat beside me is suddenly no longer empty.
Panic kicks in. The tension as he unbuttons his jacket then places his arm on the cushioned rest between us is palpable.
Jamie nudges me, and it takes every slither of composure that I have not to turn and slap her.
I feel vulnerable. Trapped. My heart’s racing, the unsteady beat pounding wildly like a jackhammer in my ears.
How I manage not to combust for the next thirty minutes is beyond me. I listen to every word Tiffany speaks, but like a teenager on a first date at the movies, I’m too distracted by every subtle movement Luke makes. Every twitch of his fingers. Every time he shifts or adjusts the cuffs of his jacket, my eyes try to betray me and steal precious seconds soaking him in.
Soon after Tiffany rounds up her speech, the crowd applauds, and people begin to stand from their seats.
I feel Luke stand beside me. Christ, even the way he claps is powerful. He angles his head seeing me watching him.
I don’t meet his gaze. Can’t.
Just as the lights begin to brighten, I think about running out of here, but I find myself listening as the blonde the other side of Luke talks. “Where were you?” Realisation dawns on me. He’s here with her. “You missed the best part.”
Luke does up his jacket buttons, turning his body, giving me a full show of his front. “I saw all I needed to.” His eyes dart to mine, and I look away, reaching down for my bag. “Eva,” he says, making me snap back up.
My cheeks have flushed, my hands are now shaking. Blondie’s looking at me confused—and rightly so. I watch her look at Luke before she looks back at me, unsure of how I know her man.
Her man .
“It was a pleasure to meet you.” Luke holds out his hand. This time, it’s not just me and him. Other people are watching what I do. I can’t be rude and leave him hanging.
But I know what happens when we connect.
Holding my breath, I slip my hand against his, wishing and pleading with myself to hold my nerve.
It’s impossible when every inch of my skin comes alive like the very first time we touched. His grip around my fingers tightens, no doubt feeling it too. It does nothing to help the tremors that have now started making my legs shake. Then I feel the paper he’s passing me, scratch against my palm.
My eyes widen.
Before I know it, his hand is free from mine, and I’m left feeling lost.
Finally allowing myself to breathe, my fingers curl into my palm, scrunching the paper in my hand.
I watch Luke and the woman who is beyond beautiful, walk out of the room together. His hand is at the small of her back as she adjusts her hair.
“He’s a nobody yet he knows your name?”
Ignoring Jamie, I watch the lady quickly glance over her shoulder at me. I refuse to look away from the pair. They look so good together. My stomach flips. My shoulders drop. Could that have been me?
I shake my head at my pathetic way of thinking, and once they’re out of sight, I look down and unfold the paper, my fingers shaking.
I need to explain why I ran. Meet me tonight at The Savoy. 7pm.
Luke
I want to scream. The Savoy? Is he mad? That place is ridiculously expensive. Although, judging by the new clothes he’s wearing, maybe he can afford it? I used to be able to, but not now.
With a quick sigh, I drop the paper as if it’s caught on fire before anyone sees. I’m such a bad human for littering, but I can’t bring myself to entertain his demand. Meet him? Tonight? And what, let him explain why he took off without a word? It is what I’ve wanted. What I’m owed. Maybe I should ?
No.
“Girl, I swear to God, I can see your legs shaking from here.”
I spin around to face Jamie. “Drop it,” I tell her hastily.
She grins. “Uh oh. He’s got you good. Why do all men possess that quality?”
I scrunch my face. “What quality?” I look around in a feeble attempt to find Tiffany.
“You know, the ability to have us shaking with need one minute, then vibrating with anger the next.”
I shake my head as we gather our things and start walking. There’s a small break in between each speaker. The next one starts in fifteen minutes. I need a drink and to freshen up before we have to come back in. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie, my fingers twisting around each other to stem the shakes.
Jamie looks up from my hands. “Sure.”
I eye roll her then begin to make my way to the stage where Tiffany will appear.
“Crap. Forgot my jacket, I’ll catch up.”
Jamie heads back to the seats, and I weave through the crowd until I’m standing near the bottom of the steps.
A few moments later, Jamie reappears by my side. “There she is.”
I look to where she’s pointing, seeing Tiffany heading towards us, a wide smile beaming from her face.
“You were amazing,” I shriek happily, opening my arms for her.
Tiff wraps her arms around me. “Thank you! I was so nervous, but I think it went okay. Did it go okay? Was it alright?” She hasn’t stopped smiling. Her nervous elation at her own achievement, making her giddy.
“It was brilliant. You were bloody inspirational! Honestly,” I drag her into another embrace, “I’m so proud of you.”
She squeezes me tight. “Did you listen to the end part?”
Shit. Technically I did. But I was also trying not to watch Luke like he was my very own private porn show. “I did.”
She steps back, her hands still on my shoulders. “And?”
I cringe, my teeth clamping together. “And… and I hear you loud and clear. ”
She looks at me deadpan. “Which part did you like the most?”
Double shit. “Um, the part where you explained how we can do anything when we put our minds to it.”
Tiffany’s eyes narrow on me.
Jamie coughs awkwardly, and Tiffany’s eyes look between us both. “What did I miss?”
“Just some guy.”
Tiffany’s head jerks to me. “A guy?”
Jamie nods. “Just some nobody who seemed to take a shine to Eva.”
I give Jamie a look which she reads instantly.
With a sigh, she says, “Sorry,” before her shoulders drop. “Tiff won’t mind. She’ll probably just be glad you’re talking to other men besides Ben.”
I look back at Tiffany. Her head’s twisting on her neck as she looks between the two of us.
When she stops moving, my eyes plead with her to drop it. Tiffany knows about Luke. I may have not told Jamie, but I couldn’t not explain to Tiffany what happened, considering she knew about him from the bar.
She checks my face, then I see the moment the penny drops. There haven’t been any other men besides Ben in the three years since Luke left. It doesn’t take a genius to work out who the man must have been.
“Today is about you,” I chime, wanting to steer clear of this topic. “It doesn’t matter who he was. Please, can we just focus on how fabulous you are.”
Tiffany runs her tongue over her teeth making her lips push up. She does this when she’s holding back. “Jamie’s right,” she manages to say, surprising me.
I quip her a look, raising one brow. She never sides with Jamie.
“You should be talking to other men besides Ben. But you’re also right. We don’t need to think about men right now. What I need is a tall glass of wine and to get out of these heels.”
I smile up at her. “Wine sounds good,” I reply a little too quickly, but thankful we’ve temporarily dodged the subject of Luke. “Come on. The bar’s open.”
Later that afternoon, after we’ve listened to the remaining speakers, the three of us head to our hotel to get ready to go out for dinner. I’ve already drunk far more in the last six hours than I have in the past year. My head hurts. My feet ache. What I really need now is a nice soak in a hot bath and to eat my body weight in crisps and chocolate.
Tiffany closes the hotel room door behind her. “Okay, lady. Where are you?”
“In here,” I shout back from my place on the toilet, closing the book in my hands.
She opens the door without a single fuck given for the fact I’m on the loo. “Urgh,” she grimaces with a shudder, “reading whilst you pee again.”
I laugh resting my chin in the palm of my hand and watch as she locks the door behind her. “Who do you think’s going to come in here?” I ask, realising the tub is now half full.
“It’s not a question of who will come in. It’s to stop you from leaving. Now spill it. What did he want?”
I groan as I drop the book to the floor and roll the loo paper around my hand rather dramatically. “He said he wanted to explain why he ran away.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Sure.” I wipe and kick off the uncomfortable underwear to the floor, then flush the loo. “But what’s the point?”
“What’s the point in what?”
“Hearing what he’s going to say.” I move to the sink and begin washing my hands. “Won’t change anything.”
“Won’t it?” Tiffany perches on the edge of the tub.
I watch her in the mirror check the temperature of the water then run some more cold. I can’t help but smile at her always looking out for me. “Will it?”
She looks at me in the mirror. “Okay, let’s think about this practically, the way you like to think about all things now.”
I glance at her, seeing her smirk.
“You’re a mum. You have Liam to think about. You work every unsociable hour to provide for him, and you’re burning both ends still trying to make sure you’re saving to be able to provide for your dad. ”
I turn around, my hands on the sink behind me. “So, you see my problem. I have no time for anything outside of what I’m already doing. And he was there with his partner, who for all I know, could have been his wife.”
“Was she wearing a ring?” Tiffany smarts.
My eyes narrow. It was the first thing I checked. “No,” I reply sharply.
“Well, what’s the problem then? I thought this guy still owed you money anyway. At the very least, I think you should go listen to what he has to say and get what’s owed to you.”
That is true. He does owe me money for my car. But not the bar tab. An anonymous cheque was left covering all outstanding debts.
Shit . Was that him? No. Surely not.
“What would I say to him?”
Tiffany stands, a broad smile on her face at my conceding. “You don’t have to say anything. Just listen to what he’s got to say.”
I bite the inside of my mouth. “I don’t have anything to wear even if I did want to go, which I don’t, so it doesn’t matter. Anyway, we’re supposed to be going out.”
She smiles, and I know she fully understands that I’m looking for any excuse now. “Where did he say to meet him?”
“I threw away the note. Can’t remember.”
Her smile widens. “Bullshit. That also wasn’t my question.”
“You’re annoying.” I move to the bath and adjust the hot tap. Tiffany remains quiet, and it does nothing but serve to piss me off. Why’s she always so right with this shit? “He said The Savoy. The Savoy, of all places.”
“Ah, he’s a fancy fucker. Thought you said he came out of prison?”
“He did!” I spin around. “He was wearing prison clothes and owned nothing. Not even a phone.” I strip off my dress and step into the hot bath, dipping my body behind the bubbles. “Unless it was all a lie, and he just used me to get food and a hot shower.”
“Thought you said you two didn’t eat?”
I splash her. “Piss off will you. ”
On a laugh, Tiffany removes the bubbles that have landed on her arm. “Or, he really did get out of prison, panicked when it got too much for him, then ran away to turn his life around.”
“Just like that?” I scold, instantly slamming my eyes shut. I saw how hard Tiffany worked to change things for herself. It’s not impossible.
“Yeah, just like that.” She stands, passing me the shampoo. “I know The Savoy is posh, but I think you should go, just for your own peace of mind. And hey, even if nothing comes of it, everyone loves a comeback story. Just listen to his. Us three can have dinner another night.”
I dip my head, submerging my hair under the hot water. “What if there is no comeback?”
I’m not strictly thinking about Luke. So much of the past three years has been spent thinking about everyone else, a part of me wonders if I’ll ever get back to doing something for me.
With a sigh, Tiffany unlocks the door. “Everyone is entitled to a comeback story. Sometimes, they just take a little longer to play out, that’s all.”
I work my bottom lip between my teeth. “You think I’ll get mine?”
Walking back to me, she kisses my head. “Depends on how bad you want it, lady.” When she straightens, she gives me a nod. “Now, I’m going to grab you some of my clothes suitable for The Savoy.”
“They won’t fit!” I shout to her back, but she refuses to listen as she walks out the door.
“Okay, so if I don’t hear from you by nine, I should assume things are going well?”
“And if I call you before then, even if just a couple of rings, you meet me right back here.”
“Got it.” Tiffany kisses my cheek before I climb out from the taxi, outside the restaurant.
“And I don’t look like a tart?” I ask as the window goes down and she’s leaning out to me .
She winks at me. “So what if you do? He’ll love it.” Then she’s telling the driver to leave.
“Tiff—” I sigh heavily. Feeling like mutton dressed as lamb, I adjust my boobs inside the dress, feeling the weight of them. I haven’t breast fed for a while now, but they still swell and ache from time to time. In a weird way, I miss it. Miss the connection I had with Liam every time he needed me.
Quickly checking my phone, I smile looking at his picture on my screen. So handsome. Thank God he got my looks, and that’s saying something because I really don’t rate myself that highly. “Love you, my baby boy,” I say to myself, locking the phone but refusing to put it in my bag in case I need to call Tiffany back here.
I walk into the swanky restaurant through the twirling doors. “Yeah. This is not the place for me,” I say under my breath. This is high-end. Only people with more than a few hundred pounds in their bank allowed. My feet stutter on the marble floor, and just when I think about turning around and scarpering, the maitre’d spots me. Crap.
“Good evening, Miss. Do you have a reservation with us tonight?” He quickly glances me up and down.
I feel like a stray cat who just got dragged in off the streets. Shit. What do I say? I don’t know if Luke made reservations or not. He just said seven. I arrived fashionably late just to make sure I didn’t seem too keen, but standing here now, that seems like a stupid idea. “I’m not sure,” I say quite causally considering how nervous I feel.
Haven’t been to anything social for years, let alone on my own. Now I’m here, in a dress that doesn’t reach my knees but shows off my breasts, hovering like a bad smell.
“She’s with me.” A strong hand gently presses at the small of my back. Fire collides with ice, the sensation shooting up my spine.
“Certainly, Sir.” The maitre’d moves to lead us to our table.
“No need. I can show the lady to our table from here.”
“Of course.” The maitre’d dips his torso, one hand behind his back, the other out in front of him as I’m led further into the restaurant .
I don’t say a word as Luke steadily guides me all the way to a quiet corner. It’s secluded and dark, the lights seemingly much dimmer in this area. “I’ve got to hand it to you,” I begin, as Luke pulls out my chair for me to take a seat, his godly smell absolutely divine. “Some rags to riches story you’ve got going on here.”
Luke jolts, but I see the corner of his lip twitch. “If you say so, Eva.”
If I say so? “Luke, this place is… well, just look at it.” I’m panicking. I know I am. But I really shouldn’t be in here. I can’t afford anything on this menu. I can tell without even opening the damn thing.
“Tonight is on me,” he replies, answering my thoughts.
Luke sits, and I try not to scoff as a waiter comes over, flicking open my napkin without any warning.
I lean back as he places it across my knees before pouring me a water, not asking if I want some.
I do. But that’s beside the point.
Once he’s done, he moves to Luke and repeats the process.
I grab the glass in front of me and take a sip. I can’t stop the way my eyebrows pull to the top of my head.
“Something on your mind?”
Placing my glass on the table, my stomach knots as Luke’s eyes train on mine.
The waiter leaves, leaving us alone in our own little bubble.
“Why did you ask me here, Luke?”
He regards me then blinks a long blink before speaking. “I told you. I want to explain why I ran.”
When he doesn’t immediately do that, my eyes widen with irritation. I stare at him like I’m missing something. “Well go on then,” I snap. I hate the way I sound, but it feels necessary.
“I will, Eva. All in good time, I will. I prom—”
“No.” I lift my finger to him, feeling like all of this is suddenly too much. “You break a promise—”
“—and it has the power to break everything,” he cuts me off, and my eyes dart to his. “I didn’t forget, Little Warrior. ”
He didn’t forget. “But you did when you promised that everything would be okay, and that you’d be normal?”
Luke’s chin hits his chest. Leaning forward, he undoes the buttons on his jacket before he’s looking at me through his beautifully, and somewhat, jealous worthy, long lashes. “And for breaking those promises, I am truly sorry, Eva. For all of it. I never meant to hurt you.”
My eyes don’t mist, but I blink, trying to gauge him. He sounds sincere even though I find it hard to believe. He did hurt me. And yes, perhaps I was feeling vulnerable and played the wrong hand when I told him I wanted things to happen, but he’s the one who ran.
“Will you accept my apology?” he pushes, unmoving.
“I don’t know,” I answer truthfully. “You…” My words fail me. “Things changed after you left and never gave me answers as to why.”
“And I will.” His voice is stern.
“All in good time?” I say sarcastically.
Luke smiles, genuinely. It’s like he’s enjoying my sass.
“Why not just tell me now?”
His elbow rests on the table. “And risk you leaving so soon after finding you again?”
I lean back in my chair. “Finding me?”
“Eva,” Luke starts, but gets cut short when the waiter returns to our table.
“Are we ready to order?” he asks politely, patiently holding his pen and paper in hand. I haven’t even looked at what’s on the menu.
“Two poached turbot Veronique please and a bottle of the vintage white.”
Apparently I don’t need to.
The waiter nods, and I look at Luke. “Was that the French or Portuguese white, Sir?”
“Whichever you recommend,” Luke replies, not once looking at him.
“Certainly, Sir.” The waiter dances away with a lightness to his step.
My face must be comical. “So, do you bring all the ladies here and order for them?” Such an immature question.
“Depends on whether they want to dine here,” he bites back.
“At least you give them a choice.” I cross my arms petulantly .
“Eva,” he all but growls, frustrated with me. “If you must know, I eat here because I’m staying nearby. This place serves the best food.”
“Thought you liked to cook?”
He lifts a small smile, but his nostrils flare. “I have no need to cook these days. Now, I just get to enjoy the finer things I’ve been missing out on.” He picks up his glass of water, round eyes eating me alive.
Just about managing to breathe in some air, I take a sip of my own water. “You found work.” It isn’t a question.
“Clearly,” he says, smiling around the rim of his glass.
“Where?” I say, heat swimming in my cheeks as I try to steal my gaze away from him.
Checking his watch, he eventually loosens his muscles, no longer holding himself so tightly. “All over.”
“What is it that you do?”
“I work with my brother.”
“Doing?” I ask, hoping he’ll elaborate.
“Things.”
“Such as?” Jesus. Why is this like getting blood from a stone? I take another sip of water.
“It’s a cleaning business.”
I cough, the water trickling down my throat the wrong way. “Cleaning?” I choke out. “You’re a cleaner? Remind me never to ask you to come to my house. No way I could afford you.” I run my eyes up and down him, gesturing towards his fine clothes.
“I take other methods of payment, Eva.”
The air thickens at his insinuation. Stupidly, I watch him take a confident sip of water, his perfect lips parting before he’s rubbing them together.
Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I then place it on the table like I’m not affected by such a simple act. When I look up, Luke’s waiting for me to talk. I realise I need to a lighten up and get this conversation away from anything sexual. “Seriously, Luke. Whatever you did after you left, it looks good on you.” Better than good, actually. “It’s obvious you worked hard to get where you are, considering… well, you know. ”
He places his glass on the table, twirling it at the rim with his fingers. “Considering I came out of prison when you met me? It’s okay, Eva. You can say it.”
I drop my head. “You never did tell me why you went to prison in the first place.”
Then he’s quiet. For far too long. And I wish he’d never found me. Because one way or the other, regardless of what he tells me next, I see the look of fear in his eyes.
I know I’m going to have to get over him all over again.