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We’re all on edge about having to attend our engagement party tonight. Not only did neither Phoenix nor I agree to it, but we were also almost killed two weeks ago.
Holden still doesn’t like leaving me alone any more than Phoenix does. Although Phoenix is a lot more aggressive about it, which is completely unnecessary because I spend most of my time with him anyway.
There’s a knock on the door, and Holden opens it.
We’re back in my old room since it’s easier to get ready here with Jo, while Phoenix gets dressed in his room in peace.
Jo maneuvers past Holden and toward me, sighing heavily when she takes in every detail of my face. “Oh, sweetie. You look like you haven’t slept in a month.”
I chuckle. “Please tell me how you really feel.”
She winces. “Sorry. Bad habit.”
Holden lifts a hand. “I’m out.”
I wave back. “Later, alligator.”
He rolls his eyes but can’t hide how the corner of his mouth tilts up.
But I know Jo isn’t wrong. I probably should have taken better care of myself in the past few weeks, but it just wasn’t on my mind. During the day, I studied and helped Phoenix with some work for the foundation, and at night, we usually ended up on the couch together, him with his laptop or phone, and me with a good fantasy romance. As long as I kept busy and could dive into another world, my brain couldn’t spiral too much.
Books have become my favorite way to escape, my personal sanctuary, offering me comfort in a way nothing else could.
Phoenix has only added to this. Talking to him has lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders, allowing something inside me to shift.
Is everything magically fine and dandy now? Absolutely one-hundred-percent not. We’re still as deep in shit as before, but I also know I’m tired of crying, tired of feeling sad, frustrated, and depressed. Iwanta normal life, I’ve more than earned it.
Jo throws her arms around me, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I’m so relieved you’re okay though. Looking shitty is better than being dead, and I’m so happy you’re not dead.”
I squeeze her back, basking in the embrace. “Thanks, Jo.”
She shakes her head. “I was so surprised when Holden called me. If I were you, I’d probably never leave the house again, let alone go to a party.”
I huff a breath. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice.”
“Of course you do. Say the word, and I’ll get us some popcorn for a movie night instead.”
I give her a half-smile. “I love the sound of that, but Phoenix needs me, and I want to do this for him.”
She studies me for a while, and I see the urge in her eyes to say more, but she keeps it in for my sake. She’ll never understand how much I appreciate her caring.
“Well then. Let’s get you ready to wow the crowds.”
Jo is a miracle worker. Because when I peek in the mirror a while later, there is no more trace of my disheveled self. My desolate, shattered side is hidden with a precision I wouldn’t call possible if I wasn’t staring at my reflection.
Before she leaves, Jo makes me promise to do a movie night with her sometime soon.
Once she’s gone, I stay an extra minute.
When I finally open the door, Phoenix is casually leaning against the opposite wall. With his hands tucked in his pockets and his feet crossed at the ankles, his gaze bores into mine with such a magnitude, I feel it in my bones.
His gaze doesn’t waver from mine as he pushes off the wall to close the distance between us. “There aren’t enough words in this universe to describe how beautiful you are.”
Something akin to wonder and serenity settles behind my breastbone, releasing a tender warmth into my bloodstream.
“Thank you.” That warmth in my body turns into liquid heat the closer he gets. “You’re very handsome yourself.”
He stops a foot in front of me and holds out his hand, his eyes flaring the moment he catches sight of my engagementring. My first one sadly didn’t survive the explosion, so he had another one made. Only when I interlace my fingers with his does he let his gaze roam over my body, taking in every detail like it’s been years since he’s seen me and not hours.