Page 97 of No Way Home
“Oh, yeah, sorry.” I hopped to my feet and put the letter in the locker. I focused on the patients, but every time I stepped out of an exam room, my mind was back on the letter.
As for Topher, we hardly crossed paths. We ended up in the same room for two breaths. But when he saw me, he darted into the hall before I had time to worry. As I was walking to my car at the end of the day, I dug through my bag, searching for my phone so I could text Abilene. But I nearly dropped it when someone bustled past, bumping my shoulder.
Topher.
He swore, eyes wide with fear. “I’m sorry. Please don’t tell Bowen.” Then he scurried down the sidewalk, tripping over his own feet to get away from me. He slid across the hood of his car like the Dukes of Hazard, scrambled inside, and peeled out of the parking lot.
I got in my car but I didn’t start the engine. My head andmy heart were stuck in a raging tug of war. Bowen had drawn me pictures before. But the letter…changed things.
Didn’t it? Or was it still Bowen—same story, different font?
What I needed was someone who would be 100 percent real with me. Even if it hurt to hear. I texted Abilene, sent her a screenshot of the letter, and waited for her trademark snark to keep me from doing something unforgivably stupid.
Three minutes later, I could see that she’d read the text. So why wasn’t she responding? I sent another, prodding her.
I can’t fall for this. Same old, same old. Right?
Abilene
What’re you talking about? Not the same at all. He’s openly pursuing you this time. He’s never done that before. And he just bore it all, in a freaking love letter. No one writes love letters anymore. It’s like something from a fairy tale.
So you think I should give him a chance?
Abilene
Maybe. Be honest. Of all the guys you’ve ever liked, which one has *always* owned a piece of your heart?
You’re supposed to talk me off the ledge. You were the one who told me not to go to Clean Slate.
Abilene
But you didn’t listen. Because you’re a bad puppy. So now you’ve got a different set of problems and maybe it’s good that you disobeyed for once.
This was not what I’d expected. Abilene was typically very black and white. Fool her once, shame on you. Fool her twice? She might cut your hand off and never feel an ounce of guilt over it.
Abilene
I’m just saying, this new information is…enlightening. Maybe you had him all wrong.
I’d never wanted a maybe to be true more. But…
What if I’m just a sucker for Bowen Dupree and his stupidly beautiful eyes? Maybe I give him a chance and he annihilates my heart again.
Abilene
Maybe…
Or maybe with Griff gone, Bowen finally gets to be who he really is: THE green flag book boyfriend of all book boyfriends. Don’t you think you should give it a chance? Call it research, and if at any time you don’t like where it’s headed, you abandon the experiment.
I chewed my lip, picturing it—Bowen and I flirting, holding hands, snuggling. But when I picture us kissing, my stomach fizzed with delight.
I blew out a slow exhale, nervous to give up my heart to aman who could break it faster than anyone on earth.
Abilene
You know how I know you want to give him a chance?
How?
