“I will talk to you tomorrow,” I said.
Hope broke across Dani’s face.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“You’re going home?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come?”
“No.”
The no hurt both of us. Dani accepted it.
“Okay.”
She looked at Rose.
“I’m sorry.”
Rose did not soften.
“You should be.”
Dani flinched. I stood.
“Tessa is taking me home.”
“I know.”
“Do not follow.”
“I won’t.”
“Do not send voice messages.”
“I won’t.”
“Do not make a public statement.”
Blake would need one eventually. Not tonight.
“I won’t.”
Dani’s hands opened.
“I love you.”
She was not manipulating me. That made them harder.
“I know,” I said.
I could not say it back. Not then. I left.
At home, I opened the marathon workbook. The gold stars remained in the front pocket. One mile. Six miles. Thirteen point one. The pages contained Dani’s handwriting. Slow. Fuel. Rest. Truth? I closed it. Then I opened the relationship operating principles. Number seven:
