Fuck. I need to crawl out of this hole before it eats me alive.
I had my first mandatory therapy session last week. Dr. Monroe doesn’t coddle — thank fuck. She cuts clean, no sugarcoating. Maybe that’s what I need. Someone to slap sense into me.
I’m so tired of swinging between numb and broken. I just want to breathe without hurting. To wake up and not feel like I’m dragging a corpse behind me.
Deep breath. I need to stop expecting miracles. I need to give it time.
It takes me forever to get ready. I’m moving like my bones are brittle, like they’ll snap if I rush. Ria doesn’t need me at the shop today, so I have the entire day to waste or do something productive. The old me would’ve buried herself under the covers. Stared at the ceiling, and let the hours bleed out of the clock. But not today. Today I’m choosing to fight.
There’s not much to see in this town, but damn if it isn’t outrageously beautiful. People smile. Not the tight, strained smiles I’m used to, but real ones. Genuine. The mountains loom in the distance and the air — fuck, the air is so clean it stings. I get why people choose to live here. There's a peace that clings to the streets, that makes you feel like nothing bad could ever happen here.
“Adora!”
I snap out of my thoughts, and turn to see Griffin jogging over, waving at me. There’s something about him — easy, light. Like he has the world at his feet and he knows it.
“Hey, Griffin.” I wave back. “Where are you off to?”
He slows to a stop in front of me, hands braced on his hips, a grin stretched across his face. For a second, I envy the hell out of him. That lightness. That ease. He has the kind of peace people like me don’t get to keep.
“Actually, I was coming to grab you and Ria. Heading to Temperance’s place. I’m crashing girls’ night.” He says it like he’s done it many times before, as I’m sure he has.
Then he winks, and it’s so ridiculous I can’t help but laugh.
“Come on,” he says, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “I’m your designated driver tonight. You know, Ria barely reaches the brakes in that van. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
I pause, considering that. Huh. “You might be right. She is way too short for that thing.”
“That’s exactly what I told her when she bought it. Word for word.” He chuckles, but then stops abruptly. Brows knitting together like he just remembered something important. “Ria mentioned you’re thinking about opening a bookstore.”
“Yeah,” I say, a little caught off guard. “It’s just an idea I’ve been tossing around. I decided I want to stay here for good. And Ria insisted it wouldn’t be the dumbest idea to open one.”
His eyes light up instantly.
“I think it’s a great idea. And I have a proposition for you.” He leans in conspiratorially, eyes glinting with mischief.
I narrow my gaze, suspicion bubbling up.
“Notthatkind of proposition,” he laughs, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. Then he pauses, considers something, and shrugs. “Well, I wouldn’t say no, but I’m guessing sex is the last thing on your to-do list right now.”
“It’s not even on the list, Griff,” I smile, admiring his boldness. There are no guessing games when it comes to him. No walls. No impenetrable guards.
“Thought so,” he nods wisely, his face a picture of solemnity. Then he mirrors my own smile. “Anyway, about that bookstore of yours. I own a building across from Ria’s shop. Had a moment of madness and made an investment. If you’re serious about it, I can show it to you. Friends and family discount, obviously.”
I raise a brow. “That’s at least ten percent off, right?”
He laughs, amused as hell. “You drive a hard bargain, but ok. You’d be doing me a favor, actually. I promise I’ll be the best landlord you’ve ever had.”
The flicker of hope is already lighting up inside me. “Let me see the place first. If it’s good, you might just have a deal.”
He throws his arm around me again, steering me down the sidewalk.
My mind spins with possibilities, plans stacking on top of each other like building blocks. Ghost’s money, the money Ria extorted out of him, has been sitting in my room untouched. I was going to cash the check soon, and maybe… just maybe, I already know where it’s going now.
I was never allowed to do anything I truly wanted, but for the first time ever, there’s no one stopping me now.
The world finally doesn’t feel so suffocating. It feels wide. Open. Full of potential.
“Well, shit,” Temperance blinks at me. Once. Twice.
