“Thank you,” I finally manage to say, my voice so low it’s almost a whisper. “I… I think I needed to hear that.” “We all do, from time to time,” she says, her eyes softening as she reaches out to squeeze my arm. “So, whenever you find yourself doubting your worth or questioning your place in thi
Abby “What’s going on?” I ask Karl as we approach the restaurant, checking my watch. The lights are off and it’s an hour before closing. “Why is it so dark?” “Um, actually, I wanted to tell you earlier but I figured you’d rather see it firsthand,” Karl says, looking a little embarrassed. “So
“Did you mean it?” Chloe asks, her voice quieter than before. “What you said on TV today? About everyone here?” I reach out and take both of their hands in mine, aware of how clammy my palms are but not caring in the slightest. “Every single word,” I assure her, my eyes flicking between Chlo
Abby “Need some company?” Karl’s eyes slide over to the bottle in my hand, and a slight smirk tugs at the corners of his lips. He scooches aside and nods for me to join him. “Sure.” I join him as he leans against the wall. Our shoulders brush as we stand beside one another, a familiar yet bitt
“I feel a little bit like a failure,” he suddenly blurts out. “Like what my pack is saying about me… that I’m a bad Alpha… might be true.” My eyes widen. “Karl! Don’t—” “Abby,” he says, tilting his head back to look up at the sky, “I came here—to this city—for you. To win you back. No other reas
Abby On the morning of the cook-off, I’m already awake before my alarm even starts buzzing. Last night, I hardly slept at all thanks to a combination of excitement over the cook-off and my wine-induced conversation with Karl. All night, his words swirled around my mind: “I’m really proud of you,
“John, finally!” I call out, stepping through the turnstile. “Are you ready? I’m about to hop on the subway, on my way to your place. I’ll be there in ten minutes, max.” “Abby,” he croaks, and instantly, I know something’s not right. I freeze in my tracks. The life and vibrancy in his voice are go
Abby It takes a moment for me to process John’s words. I’m standing here, on the subway platform, with my phone in my hand and my coffee in the other, feeling like my life is spiraling out of control. The buzz of the city, the sleepy commuters shuffling past me, and the distant clatter of subway