Page 57 of Between Now & Heartbreak

“Please, don’t say that. This day doesn’t belong to me anymore. I can’t celebrate anything about that day.” I say.

“I get that.” He says. Everything with him is so simple. I never have to explain.

“Why didn’t you apply to art school after all?”

“When I got back from my grandmother’s, Duke and I…well, it just wasn’t feasible.” It’s not the complete truth, but it’s all I can tell him.

He blows out a breath and he lets go of my hand. He walks over to one of the stone benches and sits down. He sticks his hands in his pockets and leans back against the wall of bushes, and stares up at the night sky. I sit next to him I tuck my hands into my lap and wait for him to say something.

After a few minutes of total silence, I’m ready to beg him say something when he speaks. “So…how did that happen? I mean, a year ago, he was bullying you and treating you like dirt. And now you’re engaged to him.”

I’ve been braced for him to ask me this question. My canned answer is ready

“He was really there for me when I needed it.” My stomach heaves. The lies, they make me nauseous. I’m afraid if I say another word, I’ll vomit. I lean forward and take in big gulps of air.

“You okay?” He puts a hand on my back, and rubs a soothing circle. It feels so good. I want him to never stop. But he does, after only a few seconds. And I feel cold. And sad. And I’m so mad at myself.

“I think I’m tired.”

“Did you eat anything?” He asks.

“No. I didn’t.”

“Come on. There’s not a lot I can do to make things different or better, but Icanfeed you. And I stopped to get something special to make today.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“Just say thank you,” he chides me and stands up.

In the beams of light he’s standing under, his eyes are a mossy green and remind me of the sage leaves that make this place beautiful during the day.

He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it reassuringly. “ Let’s go inside. I’ll make dinner and then we’ll get to work.” He smiles warmly at me. But, he doesn’t take my hand or touch me again as we walk back inside.

And I fucking hate it.

14

ONE MORE TRY

CARTER

“Hi,I’m here to see Donna Jordan in records, please?”

The woman gives me a cordial, but quick smile without missing a beat in her phone greeting, “Thank you for calling Wolfe Construction, can you please hold?”

She’s wearing an earpiece and appears to be answering the calls using her computer. There’s not a phone in sight.

“Your name please, sir.”

She’s smiling up at me, but I’m not sure if she’s talking to me or has someone else on the phone.

“Sir?” she peers up at me over the dark rimmed glasses perched on her nose.

“Oh, Carter Bosh,” I say.

She nods and a second later says, “Carter Bosh is here for Donna.”

“Tenth floor reception will take care of you.” She points to the elevators.

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