Page 104

I pull out my phone to text Sebastian:
Brandon: SHE ALMOST SMILED.
Sebastian: Wow, that’s almost like a love confession.
Brandon: I KNOW RIGHT?
She didn’t kick me out. Didn’t tell me to go to hell. It’s progress, however small.
And I’ll take it. I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give me.
I’ll wait for her, for as long as it takes. I’ll be there, in whatever way she needs me to be.
Because she’s it for me. The missing piece I never knew I was searching for until she crashed into my life and turned everything upside down.
Now, the meeting can come.
I’m ready.
TWENTY-THREE
NAOMI
Iset the salad on my kitchen counter and stare at it like it’s a bomb I need to defuse.
Brandon made it himself.
For me.
He kind of cooked for me.
I take a fork from the drawer, my fingers trembling. I’m not even hungry, but…
My stomach grumbles.
Fine. A bit. A bit will be okay.
I stab a few leaves slick with dressing, and bring it to my mouth. The first bite is heaven and hell. Creamy, garlicky, perfect.
Another forkful. Then another. Crisp romaine, succulent chicken, the sharp bite of parmesan.
Of course, it’s perfect.
Why doesn’t he ever give me a reason to hate him?
As furious as I am with him, as much as I want to hate him… I crave his company. His touch. His laugh and his stupid jokes.
I take another bite, then another, my resolve crumbling with each forkful. Before I know it, half the salad is gone. I drop the fork with a clatter.
It doesn’t come.
I don’t have the urge to run to the bathroom and rid myself of it.
The first time in three days.
This is good.
But I have to do better. Be stronger. For him. For us.