Page 81 of Hero Hair

I shake my head, but he doesn’t release his hold. “You don’t have to lie. I’m sure you have reasons. It’s as if your love for me died when the old me faded away. I’m back, maybe a little rough around the edges, but I’m better. You didn’t check on me and that’s not…real love,” I say, tripping over the last words. “I should go. Salvatore is waiting for me.”

He releases me, a frown on his face. “Viola gave me updates, Teala.”

I nod. It doesn’t matter. “Whatever you say. I have to go now. Tell Carina and Smith I’m not going to make it to dinner.”

Macs looks at the ground, disappointment touching every part of his body.

The hardest thing in the world is giving someone a half truth. What I didn’t tell him was I’m still morbidly in love with him regardless of his attentions or lack thereof. Dr. Rhodes is waiting in the idling car when I find my way to the top of the hill.

Macs calls my name one more time. I turn, shaking my head. I throw my arms out wide.

“What?”

Macs shouts, “Tell Dr. Rhodes I said goodbye!”

I give him a thumbs-up, get into the car, stare out the window, make it a out of the parking lot, then realize he didn’t call him Salvatore.

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