Page 85 of Holly Jolly July

Don’t you get it? I’ve already lost

everything. There is nothing more

that can be taken away from me.

ANNIE

(quietly)

I’m sorry.

JAMES

(sighing)

I’m sorry. I lost my temper.

I don’t need to take this out on you,

you’re only trying to help.

ANNIE

Look. I don’t know what happened,

or what you’re going through, but

I do know that losing your business

and your home won’t make anything

better.

JAMES

I can’t do it.

ANNIE

Why not?

JAMES

I don’t want to be there all alone

with their pitying glances and

awkward silence.

ANNIE

What if you weren’t alone?

Chapter 15

Ellie

I reach across the space between us and take Mariah’s hands in mine. I duck my head to catch her gaze and suck in a breath. She’s so beautiful under normal circumstances, but here, right now, being so vulnerable, it’s the most beautiful I’ve ever seen her. I take in her watery brown eyes, the shimmering streaks down her round cheeks, the pink tip of her nose, and share the silence, letting her feel what she’s feeling, being there for her.

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