Page 69 of Random Encounter

The thought—the phrase—hit me harder than Scarlet telling me I may not be able to teach. It was a punch in the gut to admit Dustin may never speak to me again.

My gaze landed on Harmony’s drawing once more, and I unfolded it, tension cranking through me. I smoothed the paper flat. You and Uncle Dustin getting married. I couldn’t ignore the knot in my chest. This was what I wanted to avoid.

A reality that hit me harder than any others. This raw pain of loss. It wasn’t as painful as it could be, the agony wasn’t as bad as if I’d let things go on longer with Dustin, with Adrienne.

It was a good thing I was severing ties.

So why was part of me screaming to not walk away?

Because it hurt. That was the only reason.

My phone rang and I clicked Answer without pause. It was probably Scarlet. “Hey.”

“Phillip?” Adrienne’s voice was tiny.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I mean no, but yeah. I’m sorry to bother you,” she said. “I couldn’t get a hold of anyone else.”

All my other thoughts vanished behind concern. “It’s fine. What’s up?”

“I keep swearing I see Sean out in the parking lot, and I know he’s not, that I’m being paranoid, but… God, this sounds stupid.”

Not after what Sean had already done to her. “Not at all. Do you want me to come over?”

“No. Yes. Please?”

“I’ll be right there,” I assured her.

---