Brody used to lose his mind if I so much as eventouchedhis phone.
I pick up Phantom’s phone and see…me.
On his phone is a picture of me. I look blissed out. A huge, happy smile on my face.
“I’m still your lock screen?” I ask.
“You’re my north star.”
He says it casually, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. My chest goes tight. I clear my throat.
“Princess wants to know if you can do a party supplies run at Village.”
“Tell her to send me the list.”
I send the text.
She texts back:
[Text: Princess]
Ophelia?
Dear God, how does she know? Her sixth sense is absolutely creepy.
I set the phone down. “I don’t know how, but Princess knows you’re here.”
He chuckles. “I’m sure I’ll hear all about it later.”
I watch his back as he washes my dishes, then cleans the counter. This feels normal…too normal. I hold my coffee, sip it, and consider my next words.
“So…last night. Are we going to talk about it?”
He hears the gravity in my voice. I watch as the motions of Phantom’s arm slow down, and then stop completely. He puts the towel down and turns to face me. He’s serious, now.
“I miss you. Every day without you…it kills me.”
“Who’s fault is that?”
He surprises me by admitting, “Mine. I broke your trust. I’m sorry. Brody…he didn’t deserve you. That part, I’m not sorry about. But I should’ve handled it better.”
“You think? I spent my 35thbirthday crying on my bathroom floor. Dorian held my hair. Dove had to carry me to bed.”
He winces. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. You should be.”
“If you give me a second chance, I’ll make this a safe space again. For both of us.”
I narrow my eyes at him. He seems earnest. But I’ve fallen for earnest before. I’m not so easily played anymore.
“What did you miss about me?”
“I miss the sound of your laughter in my house. I miss coming home to find you playing Charades in the aftercare room?—”
“One time! Okay, maybe twice.”
“You brought color to my very…black and white world. I miss seeing the world through your eyes.” He rests against the counter. He holds his arms, absently rubbing his bicep. A small, protective gesture. He’s uncomfortable being vulnerable, but he’s pushing through it. “I miss the way you pour all of yourself into every one of our sessions. I miss having your undivided attention when we’re in a scene. Nothing makes me feel morepowerful. More worthy. I miss the music of your screams. The shudder in your breath. The way your body surrenders.”
