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Chloe is still standing in front of me, tears streaking her dark eyes, lips curled into a frown.
She's still curling into herself.
She's still about to break.
"I should go." She takes a step backward. "I'll call later. We can work out what I'm doing with the apprenticeship. I should probably be somewhere else anyway."
"I want you here."
"No. I… I can't be here." Her gaze meets mine for a second. She stares into me, offering something, an apology or an explanation, I'm not sure.
Then she turns and her gaze settles on her combat boot.
Her left foot is still bare.
"Oh. I should… I should get that. Then go." She slides her hands into her front pockets. Slowly, she turns back to the office.
I stare into her eyes, but she refuses to meet my gaze.
To say anything.
To offer a fucking clue.
"Why are you running away from this?" It's far too insightful, but that's what she does to me. She wakes up this other part of me. Fuck, I love that part of me.
"It's doesn't matter. I'm breaking up with you."
I reach for a response, but nothing comes.
This doesn't make any sense.
It's fucking bizarre.
There's no way she's okay. Not with the way she was crying. But her voice is calm and even. Like she's talking about the weather or her schedule or her favorite tea.
Not like she's weighing life and death.
She moves around me on her way to the office. Her movements are soft. Quiet. Emma's emo album drowns it out. I'm not usually a fan of this whiny chordspam, but, fuck, right now, the angst feels just right.
Chloe steps out of the office with her backpack around her shoulders. "I'm sorry."
"Then stay."
/> She shakes her head like she wishes she could.
Then she walks out of the shop and out of my life.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chloe
It's a dozen blocks to Dean's place. And there's my old Japanese sedan. Black, of course. With black leather seats, of course. And a black steering wheel cover, of course.
I slide inside, put on my favorite grunge album, hold it together for long enough to drive to my place.
Every step feels like a million miles. Climbing up the stairs takes everything I have.
But it's worth it for the quiet solitude of my room.
