Page 90 of Blackwood

The short drive is quiet but warm, filled with little glances and charged silence. When we pull up outside the gym he puts the car in park but doesn’t shut it off.

“I had a great time,” he says, voice softer now.

“Me too.”

He holds my gaze for a second longer. “Can I call you later?”

I nod, fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. “Sure.” I turn and head up the stairs, heart still thumping like I’m mid-performance. But just as I reach the top, my phone vibrates in my hand.

@LucaWasHere

What do you think you’re doing, Izzy?

Cafés and coy smiles? Don’t get me dizzy.

He touched your wrist like he had a right.

Next time, I’ll show him how I bite.

Chapter 30

BELLA

Dr. Monroe’s Office - Manhattan, New York

573 Days Since Zeke’s Death

So, how have things been since our last session?” Dr. Monroe says uncapping his pen.

I exhale hard. “I don’t know. Complicated.”

“Care to explain?”

“Not really.”

“Bella.”

“I know. We’ve talked about this. Vulnerability, connection, whatever.” I wave a hand vaguely. “Fine. So… my mind’s been all over the place. I started dating this guy. Cade.”

“You’ve mentioned him before.” More scribbling.

“I’ve technically known him forever,” I add. “But we just reconnected. And it’s good. Really good.”

He finally looks up. “You’re smiling.”

“Am I?”

He nods once. “That sounds like a positive step.”

“It is. I think. It’s just, God, it’s a lot.”

His pen stills. “What’s the part that feels like a lot?”

I glance at the ceiling. “He has a boyfriend.”

His eyebrows lift slightly. That’s it. No judgment. Just awareness.

“And they, um, kind of want me to be with both of them,” I say, rushing the words.