Page 62 of Love or Leave

Shit.

She might've fucked up, thinking she could sleep with him and not feel anything for him. Especially when she'd already liked him. But what was done was done.

At this point, she might as well just bask in the bliss for the night. She'd have to face the reality that was waiting for her in the morning and carry on with her life.

sixteen

Antonio's heavy feet moved aimlessly along an uneven path. There was such resistance to his movement that he thought he must be walking through water. But when he looked down, he saw a colourful field full of wildflowers that spanned as far as the eye could see.

A flicker caught his eye, and he looked up. In the clear, dark sky sat gigantic stars, shining bright and beautiful. They were close enough to touch.

He reached out his hand for the top point on the brightest star, cautious at first, expecting it to burn him. But it didn't. It was warm, not hot, and buzzed lightly under his fingertips.

He bet that she'd love it if he picked a star for her.

He grasped it in his fist and pulled, dragging it slowly from the sky. It left a streak of warm white stardust in its wake.

He reached out and broke it loose from the strands of light, then turned, scanning the field. Where had she gone? She'd been right beside him a minute ago.

Hadn't she?

Finally, he spotted her in the distance. Her soft dark hair stood out against the flowers and starlight. He called for her, but she couldn't hear him, so he stepped closer, wading through the thick flowers. The closer he got, the louder she sounded. Like church bells in the air, floating toward him.

He couldn't wait to see the light in her big brown eyes when she saw the star he'd picked for her. He finally reached her and called her name, but she didn't respond, so he tapped her shoulder.

Knock knock knock.

The sharp sound echoed unnaturally.

Was she… made of wood?

Antonio stared at her shoulder, trying to make it make sense, when another knock rang out.

Cara slowly turned to face him.

And she was—

Max?

Antonio opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Knocking—faster and more urgent now—filled the void.

"Antonio!"

His eyes flew open, and he glanced around disoriented for several seconds. He looked down at the beautiful girl next to him.

Fuck.

He shook his head, trying to separate the incredibly vivid dream from reality.

Another knock reverberated through the room, shaking the walls, and clearing the last bits of fantasy from his mind.

"Ant!?"

Shit.

Antonio reached over, gently shaking Cara's shoulder until she grunted and opened her eyes. Her face seemed to go through thesame disorientation and shock he'd just experienced before she shot upright, clutching the bedsheet to her chest.

"Oh my God," she whispered, staring at the door. "Is that Max?"

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