Page 55 of The Sun and Her Star

“Yeah, sorry.” I climb in next to her, and as soon as I shut the door, he pulls away.

She scoots all the way to the other end of the car. Kicks her shoes off and tucks her feet underneath her. And then, she proceeds to blow my mind.

She leans forward and taps the driver on the shoulder. “Excuse me, sir”

“Yes, miss?” he asks without taking his eyes off the road.

“Did you know that he’s a hero?” She points at me with mock excitement.

“Really? That’s impressive,” he says cheerily.

“He saved my life once,” she tells him.

“Ugh. Sunshine that’s enough,” I groan.

“It’strue.You did. Don’t be shy, Grahamstar.” She shakes her head and smiles at me like I’m a naughty child. But the smile doesn’t reach her eyes. Oh, shit. She’s angry. She turns back to the driver. “I mean, I helped save him, too. I’m his cape,” she says with a self-affirming nod.

“Like, Batman’s cape?” he asks, and I do a double take. Is he really engaging in this crazy conversation with Apollo?

“Yup.Justlike that. What, after all, would they be without their capes?” she asks rhetorically.

“Well, Batman’s still got that batmobile,” he says.

She shrugs and concedes with a nod. “You’re right. Maybe the capeisn’tthe sexiest part of their whole getup.” She turns to look at me, all pretense of her smile is gone. Her eyes are cool. “But without their capes, they can’tfly.”

Fuck.

Our driver, completely oblivious to what’s happening in the back seat says, “Well, then, Ms. Cape, I hope your hero here knows how lucky he is that he has you to give him wings.”

I groan.“Okay, can we stop talking about me like I’m not here?” I say and run my hands down my face.

“Yup, I’m done,” she says and yawns. She scoots over to me, tips her head so it rests on shoulder and says, “I’m tired. I need a nap.” Then, she shuts her eyes.

I just stare straight ahead and try to figure out how to turn back time. If everything I’ve done has lead me to this sickening moment, I want to take it back. The thought of someone else touching her lips, her body, makes me physically ill. Her little metaphor with the cape … she’s telling me I’m going to have to learn how to live without her. The thought is unbearable.

What the fuck have I done? I have no right to feel any of this. I forfeited it the minute I said yes to Nanette.

What a fool I’ve been to think that I could ever have her back after what I’d done. It wasn’tjustsex. It all meantsomething.And I’d given away what should have been hers.Just as I think of her and that kissshegave away as mine.

“Is that your lady?” the cab driver asks, and I blink at him in confusion, my mind is all over the place.

“The cape … she yours?” he asks again. I look down at her. Her mouth is open, and her eyes are closed. She’s not snoring, but I can tell she’s asleep. So, I tell him the lie I wish was true.

“Yeah, she is.” I nod.

“She’s beautiful. And funny,” he says.

I nod. “She’s the most beautiful person I know. Inside and out. She’s my superpower.”

“Nice, man,” he says appreciatively. “Sounds like she’s loyal, too. You need to keep hold of her,” he says sagely. How I wish I could.

I nuzzle her hair, press a kiss to her temple and stifle a groan as the scent of strawberries fills my nose. I lower my head so that my lips are pressed against her ear. “Loving you is my wildest dream.”

“Really?” Her head pops up, and she’s staring into my eyes. I can’t lie. Not now. She’s probably not going to remember any of this anyway.

“Really,” I admit.

“Oh, God, Graham.” She blinks up at me, her eyes wide with confusion as she scans my face. I let her see everything I work so hard to hide. On a moan, she closes her eyes and drops her head onto my shoulder. “Whyyyydid I drink tonight? I’m sofuckingdrunk, my head is spinning,” she moans, her warm breath dampening the fabric of my shirt.

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