Page 57

Veronica let out a strange laugh. “Let’s just stick to what’s most relevant then. I didn’t know Leilani was dating you or I would have stayed away, but I can promise you, nothing happened between us.”

“Why would I believe a promise from you?” she snapped.

“That’s fair. I’m sorry.”

“I know nothing happened between you. Leilani isn’t that kind of person. She wouldn’t do something like that.”

“No, she wouldn’t. You’re a good person. Don’t let me be the one to ruin what you two have. She seems like the kind of woman you could really build a life with.”

“I know. I want to.”

“Then do it. Don’t let me ruin this for you. You deserve to be happy.”

“Why are you saying any of this now?”

“I don’t know. I think it's because of Leilani. I’ve wanted to for a while, but I told myself you were strong. I told myself you would be fine without me. That you were better off, if anything.”

“I wasn’t.”

“I know.”

“What you did, it hurt me a lot. I haven’t even tried dating since—since what happened. I just couldn’t bring myself to.”

“I’m sorry. I should have just told you how I was feeling and walked away. It would have been better for both of us.”

Adaze took a deep breath, refusing to acknowledge the tears running down her cheeks. “I think I need some time to think.”

“I understand. I’ll let you know if Leilani leaves the park, but I won’t stop her. Otherwise, you know where you need to go.”

“If she leaves, will you try and find out where she’s going, maybe shoot me a quick message?”

“Yeah, sure, I can do that.”

“Thank you,” she said. It felt wrong to thank the woman who broke her heart.

“I don’t think you need to thank me.” Veronica gave a strange laugh, brimming with emotions. “I, uh, I don’t know how to end this call. I think you need to hang up first.”

“Right. I can do that.”

Then Adaze hung up the phone, a sob bubbling up in her throat. She didn’t want to leave Leilani, not like this, but she just hurt so much.

It felt like her heart was dissolving into acid in her chest. It flooded her stomach, making herself sick.

Turning the car around made her hands tremble, but she forced herself to do it. The closer she got, the sicker she felt.

She wished with every fiber of her being she could go back to this morning before everything went wrong.

Her mind drifted back to the way they woke up together that morning. Everything seemed so perfect when the light streamed in between the bamboo blinds. The pair were curled in Leilani’s bed, cocooned in her various quilts and blankets. Leilani never seemed to be warm enough, but Adaze was all but sweating under all the warmth, not that she’d rather be anywhere else. At some point during the night, Jaspurr had joined them, of course, forcing his small, furry body between them where he purred loudly. Leilani was still sound asleep when Adaze woke up.

Leilani snored softly, head pillowed against Adaze’s shoulder. Adaze smiled to herself, running a hand through her hair, still tangled from their activities the night before.

It wasn’t until she leaned in for a kiss that Leilani woke.

Leilani hummed against her lips. “What a great way to wake up.”

“I know,” Adaze agreed, pulling her closer. “I could get used to this.”

“I think I might already be used to this.”