Page 108 of A Ballad of Betrayal and Beauty

I push myself off the couch and walk over to the kitchen, slipping the phone off the hook. My palms sweat as I dial her number, but picturing Stella yowling at the sound filling their apartment has a smile tugging at my lips.

“Hello?”

Butterflies roam loose in my chest. “Hey, it’s me.”

“Oh, Joel, hi. Are you—is everything okay? It’s really early.”

I press my fist to my forehead. “I’ve been up all night. It’s been the shittiest day.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says.

“Listen, I know you probably just got in from work?—”

“Actually,” she interrupts. “I quit.”

I blink. “You what?”

She sighs. “I just couldn’t do it anymore, and to be honest, even though you said it doesn’t bother you?—”

“It doesn’t,” I insist.

“I know. But it bothersme. If this thing between us is going to work . . . I want to give myself over completely, and that means getting away from all the confusing emotions that come with my job.”

I smile and twirl my finger in the phone cord. She wants to be mine. “You’re incredible,” I say reverently.

She gives a small laugh. “It’s terrifying, but I think the change will be good. I’ve . . . I’ve never really known anything else.”

“I know it upset you when I offered before?—”

“Joel—”

“So I won’t offer,” I insist. “But, I will support you however you need, whether that’s reading over your résumé or circling the wanted ads. I’ll be there.”

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“I need to see you,” I say. “I know you’re probably tired and want to just go to sleep but . . . would you maybe come over here?”

There’s a brief pause. “I . . . sure, of course. But, uh?—”

“I get it. You’re tired. I’m sorry I asked.”

“No!” she says a little forcefully. “No, it’s not that, it’s just?—”

“What?”

She groans. “I don’t know the bus schedule for that side of town.”

I frown. “The bus?”

She laughs humorlessly. “Are you forgetting I don’t have a car?”

“Oh!” Shit, I’m such a fucking doofus. “Dusty, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll come and get you.”

She hums. “Is your friend back? I thought he took off in your car?”

Fuck.“Yes, right. Umm . . . I’ll send a cab.”

“A cab?”

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