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My smile turns icy. “Thanks for the lecture, Madam Earth.” I fold my fingers together on the table. “Did you know that box bleach you’re using also contributes to the deterioration of the planet? Most commercial hair dyes have chemical ingredients that get flushed down the drain and end up in the ocean. Even a small dose can be harmful to aquatic life.”
She raises a horrified hand to her head.
“That’s why atmysalons, we use dyes with natural ingredients to lessen the harmful impact on the planet. But you wouldn’t know that because you’re too busy standing on your soap box looking down at people who don’t make the same choices that you do.”
She blinks rapidly.
Rosie stretches a hand out to me. “Guys, we’re all friends here. Let’s not fight.”
The blonde huffs and turns her head sharply away from me.
I calmly sip my mimosa.
The rest of the birthday brunch goes better. None of Rosie’s other friends come for me and I end up relaxing a bit.
When it’s time to go, her blonde friend stalks off—probably to go berate a struggling single mother on her habit of buying fast food and lining the pockets of corporate chains.
Rosie hooks an arm around my neck. “Thank you so much for coming, Island. I know you don’t like socializing much.”
“Of course I’d show up for you. You’re the little sister I always wanted.”
She blushes. “Don’t tell anyone, but you feel like more of a sibling than Taz sometimes.”
“Don’t tell anyone, but you feel like more of a boyfriend than Taz sometimes too.” I laugh to play it off.
Rosie gives me a pitiful look. “He texted me the other day. I think his filming crew moved somewhere with a better internet connection. You should expect a call from him soon.”
I give her a tight-lipped smile, struggling to keep my mood from tanking. “I’ll look forward to it.”
As I walk away from Rosie, my smile droops, my head sinks and my legs feel heavy. Since Taz left, I’ve been hanging on to our relationship by a thread.
But that thread is stronger because of Rosie’s encouragement. She’s always calling me, checking up on me and reminding me that I’m family. Sometimes, it feels like I’m in this relationshipbecauseof how well Rosie treats me.
I can’t absolve Taz. Ifshecan call and check up on me so often, why can’t he?
As if I conjured him, my phone starts ringing.
I feel strange when I see his name on my phone screen. The excitement I thought I’d feel, the gratitude, it’s like dust. But I brush off the negative emotions and focus on what matters.
My future.
“Hi, babe.”
“How’s the love of my life?” Taz’s voice is warm, deep, and smooth as chocolate.
Nothing like that rough, caveman bark that Bolton does.
Not that I’m thinking about Bolton.
Or find him worthy enough to compare to Taz.
“I’m okay.” I get into my car and lock the door before settling in. “Why are we doing a voice call? Let’s do a video. I want to see your face.”
He chuckles nervously. “My room’s a mess right now and so am I. Besides, it’s enough for me to just hear your beautiful voice.”
I want to insist on seeing him. I want to ask why he took so long to get in touch with me. I want to look into his eyes when I casually bring up our ‘open relationship’ and inquire if he’s been dating other girls.
But it’s more important for me to be a safe place for Taz. I don’t want him to associate calling me with stress and negativity.