Page 66 of Don't Leave Me

“I want to know everything about you, Hana,” he said softly, putting his hand to my hair and running his fingers through it.

I smiled. “Everything? Like what?”

“Everything. We can start with the basics – I don’t know your birthday. I don’t know your favorite song, or film,” he raised his eyebrows, eager for information.

“May 18th. ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Zeppelin and the entire ‘Wish You Were Here’ album by Pink Floyd,” I started, smiling. “And Practical Magic.”

Jack’s grinned. “Good start,” he nodded. “I need more.”

I narrowed my eyes. “First, tell me your birthday and your favorites,” I said playfully.

“July 12th. Favorites? Oh,” he sighed, seeming to put a lot of thought into his answers. “I loveFight Club,” he smirked. “And as for songs…I think the song I’ve listened to the most, ever, is ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.”

I widened my eyes excitedly. “I fuckinglovethat song. I love Queen - they are my go-to karaoke band,” I laughed.

He widened his eyes as well. “That takes a lot of courage to try to sing like Freddie Mercury,” he teased.

“Key word there:try,” I giggled.

He shook his head at me with amusement. “I amimmenselyfascinated by you,” he confessed, his eyes a little wide.

What a line. “I’m pretty fascinating,” I teased, in a playful mood.

We continued to chat more, Jack telling me that his sister just got a part on Broadway and was super proud of her, me telling him about all the crazy antics that Emily and I seemed to always get into. As we laughed on my bed, comfortable in Jack’s arms, I heard a knock on the front door. I wasn’t sure if Billie was still home, but I ignored it, not wanting to be disturbed. I half-listened to Jack and half-listened to footsteps on the hardwood floor in the living room, hearing the front door creak open and muffled conversation going on. Once I heard more footsteps coming near my door, I started to grow nervous;oh my god, what if it’s Michael?There was a knock on my door and I jumped right up off the bed to get it. I peeked my eyes out as I opened the door up a few inches, finding Billie looking back at me with furrowed brows.

“It’s Michael,” she said quietly.

I nearly had a heart attack. My breathing sped up and I felt my heart racing:what do I do?

“Um, okay,” I nodded quickly. “I’ll – I’ll be right out,” I stuttered out, shutting the door on her.

I turned back to Jack and he raised his eyebrows at me.

“I’ll just be a minute,” I nodded to him and then turned back around before he could respond, quickly opening my door and shutting it behind me, finding Michael leaning against the open front door frame.

Dammit. All of the anger and hurt I felt previously had diminished in just one quick second as I made eye contact with him - his grey eyes stared sadly at me with his arms crossed and his head lowered. He looked so completely defeated.

“Michael,” I crossed my arms as I walked towards him. “What are you doing here?”

My voice was small and I was unable to look him in the eye for more than a second at a time.

He looked unsure of himself, which was odd. “You weren’t answering your phone,” he said quietly, uncrossing his arms and now walking closer to me.

I felt lightheaded as I watched him stop in front of me. I still couldn’t look at him for very long; I felt like I could’ve collapsed if I did so.

“I’ve been busy,” I responded, looking at the open door beside us.

“Are you not going to look at me?” he asked, hurt evident in his tone.

I succumbed and finally looked up at him, my heart racing even faster as I did so –yep, I’m still in love with this man…that hasn’t changed.

“Who’s here with you?” I felt like he was interrogating me.

I shook my head, trying to signal that he didn’t want to know.

“Tell me, Hana,” he prodded, his eyes suddenly angry.

“I don’t have to tell you, Michael. I don’t owe you anything. In fact, I think I’ve given you far too much already,” I retorted, my eyes tearing up.

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