Page 79 of Between Now & Heartbreak

“You look like hell. When’s the last time you showered?”

“Whatare you doing here?” I demand.

She yanks my fridge open and glares at me over the door.

“What are you living on? There’s no food in here.”

“I’ve been eating Ramen. And if you’re not going to tell me why you’re here, I’m going to ignore you.” I snap and press play on my remote. Beethoven fills the air and I close my eyes and take a deep breath and let it sooth my rattled nerves.

The music stops abruptly and my eyes snap open.

Dina is walking around gathering the piles of paper that are strewn everywhere.

I sit on my stool eyeing her dispassionately. She strides back toward me, her eyes moving around the rest of the room. She frowns as she takes in the dirty mugs and plates that cover almost every surface. “I’m not sure what’s going on with you—”

“I’m tired and had some vacation days I needed to use. Why are you freaking out?” I ask through a yawn.

“Have you been up all night?” She walks over and sits next to me.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I can’t sleep.”

I drop my head into my hands and lean back into the couch.

“Yes, Captain Obvious. Clearly. Why can’t you sleep?”

I scowl at her sarcasm. “I messed things up with Carter.”

“Oh, isthatwhy he looked so rough?” She says vaguely.

”You’ve seen him?” I’m desperate to hear more and hop off the couch and I grab her forearms.

“You need a shower.” She wrinkles her nose and leans away from me when I get close to her.

“Tell me!”

She yanks away indignantly.

“Oh my God. You’re practicallyrabid.” She straightens her hair and sniffs at me. “Yes. I saw him. He looks like shit. Says you broke his heart.” She looks at me expectantly.

“He told me he loved me. And now, he hates me.” I make my saddest face at her. I wish she’d sit down and hug me. I need one.

She squints at me and there’s not much sympathy on her face. “I feel like you’re leaving things out.”

I shift in my seat.

“Like what?”

“Like, how did he respond when you told him you loved him, too?”

I cringe.

“I didn’t tell him that.”

Her frown deepens. “Whatdidyou tell him?”

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