Page 78 of Desperate Haste

“Why?” She swallows hard as her eyebrows push together.

“Because it’s a promise, from me. To come back for it. To come back for you, if you’ll have me, that is. I know I fucked up, Ophelia, but I love you. I wish I could love you as the man I am now, but I can’t. I’m broken, something in me is broken, and I need to work to fix it before I can be the man you need me to be. So, please, take this as a promise from me that I will get better. Not just for you, but also for me. For us. I don’t want it back until you know that I can be the man you need me to be for you.” I raise the ring a little higher and hold my breath. She stares at it as if it’s a grenade ready to go off, but then snatches it from my hands and tucks it safely into her fist.

“Thank you, little fox,” I nearly whisper. When a single tear drips down her cheek, I risk taking another step closer to her. When she doesn’t move away, I rest my hand on her cheek and wipe the tear away. Her eyes close at my touch and I take it as permission to lean in and press my lips to her forehead. With my fingers wrapped around her neck, I can feel her pulse beat faster as my lips make contact but she doesn’t uncross her arms and pull me into her.

Always so strong, my girl.

“I promise, I’ll be back for it,” I whisper with our foreheads now touching. She nods just enough for me to feel and takes a dismissive step away from me which I take as my cue to leave. Once I’m out in the hallway, she carefully closes her front door and I wait until I hear the lock click. Once it does, I head back to my friends who are waiting so they can take me to the place that’s going to help me get better. Not just for her, but for me.

For us.

40

OPHELIA

1 New Message: The Powder Puff Girls

B:

Good morning beauties. I’m excited to see everyone’s pretty faces this morning. 11 still good for the group?

Margaret:

11 is good with me.

Magnolia:

Hi! Sorry, I might be five minutes late. Got a lttle held up

B:

Ohhhhh I can’t wait to hear all about it!

Margaret:

It’s always in the mornings for you two.

Magnolia:

What can I say? We’re just so refreshed in the mornings and ready to go.

I’ll fill ya in over brunch

B:

Ophie, you’ll be there, right?

I’m already here, sweetie. Been here since nine.

B:

Of course you are. Well, we will see you shortly then.

I’ll see you all soon. I can’t wait to see everyone.

* * *

“It should be illegal to look as good as you do when you literally do the jobs of five people. I mean really, who else could pull off a bright orange jumpsuit and Prada heels, and make it look as effortless as you do?” My best friend gawks as she pushes open the front doors of Butcher and Block.

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