Chapter 38. Dahlia
DAHLIA
I see them on the subway together with their crazy hats and sun-kissed faces like they’ve been out all day. They lean on one another, threading their fingers together, becoming one.
His eyes follow her every move.
She revels in the attention.
I look away from their shiny brightness; my eyes sting from not blinking. I’m so stupid. Of course he’s falling for her. The same way Cody did.
I’m drawn back in seconds later, feeding the ache of my broken heart. My hands clench underneath my thighs. Buffered by the other passengers, I trail behind them out of the subway and onto the street toward MacDougal.
Brynn strolls into Micah’s house like a VIP, tossing her long hair back at something he said, his hand contouring her hip.
My shredded heart rips a little more.
I’ve watched girls like her get the guy my whole life while plain, gawky freaks like me have faded into the background without a second look.
Maybe personality means more to some people. But I can count how many times a guy’s looked at me the way Micah looks at her.
Zero.
Teddy’s brows rise when I enter Dante’s. We need no words. I’m sure my face conveys it all.
I take the open seat by the door.
He hustles about, taking food orders and delivering drinks.
He places a coffee before me. His kindness draws out a muffled sob from my throat.
He bends down and kisses the side of my forehead, holding his lips there to transfer some of his strength to me.
He knows me so well. I’ll tell him everything later, after this rush quiets down.
For now, I sit in the window, waiting for that bitch to come out.