Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
I wrap my arms around myself, like it will keep me from falling apart. “Have you talked to her since?”
“She messaged after the last accident to see how I was doing, but that’s it. There’s nothing going on. I promise.”
I believe he’s telling the truth, but it still stings. It makes me feel out of my depth all over again. “I don’t want to be some convenient distraction to help you get over whatever happened with her.” I realize, though, that whatever did happen must have really hurt him. And maybe that’s part of the reason for his hesitation with us. But it doesn’t make it okay that he kept this from me.
“You’re a lot of things, Aurora, but you’re not a distraction from someone else. What can I do to fix this? Tell me what I need to do.” He looks so uncertain. Vulnerable.
“This hurts.” I rub my temple. “I need time to process. Alone.” But how the hell will I get to my apartment without running into my dad? What a mess of a night.
“I can go over to Roman’s. Give you some time on your own. Then we can talk?”
“I’d like to process in my own space. I’ll text you when I’m ready to have a conversation.”
“Okay. I understand.” He nods, crosses and uncrosses his arms. “I’m sorry. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you again.”
“Are you sure you weren’t trying to protect yourself instead?” I wait for him to take the opportunity to open up, to share what made that breakup so painful, but all he does is sigh.
“Maybe. I’ll go check in with Roman so you can have time.”
He walks away, leaving me wondering how the most amazing date turned into the worst one, and all because of his ex.
CHAPTER 26
HOLLIS
Ishould be shitting my pants that I almost got caught on a date with Roman’s daughter. And part of me is. I feel like a giant bag of garbage. I’m deceiving him every day. But the bigger, more telling part of me is worried about how Aurora is handling this. Because on top of the stress I’m putting on her relationship with her dad, I withheld information.
For a while now I’ve been living in the land of denial, believing I could lock down these feelings. Telling her I’d seen Scarlet, and assuring her that the feelings I once had are long gone, would have meant admitting I want something more with Aurora. I hadn’t been ready to do that, and now I’ve upset her. Again.
Hurting her feels like stabbing myself. When she’s in pain, I itch with the need to fix everything for her. Seeing her smile, being part of what makes her happy, holding her close? Those are the things I want to spend my days and nights doing.
I leave my phone at my place and go over to Roman’s. When he asks what happened to my date, I tell him she has to work early, and he’s so preoccupied with his news, he doesn’t question it. I end up staying for an hour and a half while he explains his post-retirement options. I try to remain engaged. Try to be a good friend and share his excitement, but my stomach is churning. Aurora’s words keep rolling around in my head. Who was I really protecting? Her or me?
It’s late by the time I finally leave. Postie and Malone meet me at the door and follow me into the kitchen, meowing insistently. I ignore them and check my phone, stomach sinking at the lack of message from Aurora.
I don’t want to force her into a conversation she’s not ready for. But I also want to own my mistakes.
Hollis
I know you need some time, but please don’t shut me out. Even if I can’t fix it now, I don’t want to get on that plane without seeing you before I go.
I wait a few minutes, but I don’t get a response. I change and get ready for bed, pack my bag for tomorrow and pick out my suit, then clean up the rest of dinner and put the cheesecakes in the fridge. Aurora hasn’t messaged by the time I’m ready for bed, so I take it as a sign that she’s still processing.
I sleep like garbage, tossing and turning. Postie keeps trying to reposition near me. At five thirty in the morning, my phone buzzes on my nightstand. My anxiety spikes when I see a text from Aurora.
Princess
Message when you’re awake.
Hollis
I’m awake now. Can I come down?
The humping dots appear and disappear twice.
Princess
Yes.
Hollis
I’ll be down in five.
I roll out of bed, give my teeth a quick brush, and pull on a pair of joggers and a hoodie. I grab the extra key fob and wish I’d done something smart last night, like buy Aurora flowers. But that’s only occurring to me now.