Page 71 of Before Dawn

me:Azzy’s coming over to help me unpack, and then I’m taking a much-needed nap.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:Have you eaten?

me:I had Chipotle, but I might cook tonight.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:You cook?

me:I am quite the chef, Mr. Suarez.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:Gotta try it sometime, Ms. Asher.

me:You might just fall in love with my recipes.

The words left me feeling bold, but I didn’t regret them.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:I wouldn’t mind.

I’d never felt such a pure connection with a man before. Talking to him was effortless—no second-guessing, no hesitation.Just right.

Somehow, he quieted my anxieties, which was rare for me. I usually overthought everything, picking apart every word, every interaction. But with him? I felt at ease. Maybe a littletooat ease.

Before I could spiral deeper into my thoughts, Azzaria’s voice rang through the apartment, calling my name. I blinked, snapping back to the present, and rushed to open the door.

“You got here fast. Where were you coming from?” I asked as she stepped inside.

Kicking off her black pumps at the door, she dropped her purse onto the table, a broad smile lighting up her face. “I was like ten minutes away with Dillon, so he just dropped me off.”

“You and your billionaire tycoon,” I teased, nudging her playfully.

“Shut up,” she shot back with a grin. “Now, tell me how San Fran was.”

I shrugged. “It was fine. Just packed, spent time with my family, and broke up with Joshua.”

Her smile faltered. “Areyouokay?”

“Yeah.” I sighed in relief. “Butoh my gosh, he made a whole scene at the airport.”

Her brows shot up. “What the fuck did he do?”

I recounted the humiliating moment—how he showed up, begging and pleading like we were in some cringy rom-com, and even brought me lilies.

Her face twisted in disbelief. “You’re allergic! Five years together and he still doesn’t know that?”

“He said he thought I said I liked flowers,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

“Dumbass.”

We said it in unison, then burst into laughter.

“I was kinda down because it was so fucking embarrassing, but honestly? I’m over it now.”

Azzaria gave me a knowing look. “It’s gonna take a while to be fully over it, but with time—”

“No,” I cut in, laughing as I shook my head. “I mentally checked out after the first fuck-up. I loved him enough to try fixing things, but the more I tried, the more I realized I wasn’t Bob the fucking Builder. I stayed because I didn’t want to feel like I wasted all those years.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Loved? As in, past tense?”

“Yep.” I nodded, firm in my decision. “I won’t stay where I’m unwanted.”

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