I blindly pull one off the shelf. It looks like my exact copy, but that would be insane. That would mean he saved these books even after he boarded the house up. Saved them for what? In case I ever went back there? A choked gasp tears from my throat when I see the underlining, the dog-eared pages. I
“Knew it,” she crows.I roll my eyes. “You’re so modest.” I sigh. “But no. You’re both wrong. I took a chance. It backfired miserably.”“I’m proud of you.” Mal’s eyes are soft and sad.“Thanks.” I give her a half smile. “I had to try. I know we could be good together. He just doesn’t see it that way
“Why won’t he admit it then?” I ask quietly.“He’s scared.” Mallory sighs. “I’m not saying you should wait forever for him, Lilly, but if he comes to you again, maybe hear him out.”“I’ll think about it, but it’s going to need to be a big fucking apology.”MichaelI know it’s a bad idea to drink whe
“Meaning he’s been obsessively tracking down the reporter writing unflattering gossip columns about him. Equally stupid.”“That’s different,” Jonathan replies shortly.“Come talk to me when she writes something awful about you, then. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”“So what did you do to fuck up with
An hour later, I’m in front of Lilly’s door. It looks identical to mine. Well, if you don’t take the penthouse elevator, it does. And only I take that because I’m the only one with a key. I should give Lilly a key. I’m fishing in my pocket for the elevator key when the door opens.“Michael?” Her lov
My heart thumps. I love you. I squeeze my eyes shut. How long have I wanted to hear those words from him? Longer than I may care to admit. Ten years long. His anguished expression from tonight plays behind my lids. In it, I see the shadow of every glance he gave me over the years. What if he really
MichaelIt’s too fucking early for someone to be knocking. I’m only halfway through shaving, and I have a towel wrapped around my waist. There’s a persistent ache behind my right temple, and the best I can hope for today is to be numb to the world.I wrench open the front door to Mallory’s surprised
LillyWhere is the damn email? I check again. I’m curled on the impossibly comfortable couch this morning, under a wool throw, anxiously refreshing my email, checking my texts, texting Mallory, and then checking my email again. I’m wearing Michael’s sweatshirt, like I have since I got back from Mont