Page 187 of Love Felt Like This

And they meet. Close. Shut me off.

Why would he let that happen?

Why—

But then they open again.

And Griffin’s broad chest is rising and falling against the strap of his guitar. His finger is jammed on the button to reopen the doors.

“I’m sorry,” he says, stammering out and blinking quickly, as if something is caught in his eyes. “I don’t know what…I…”

My heart stumbles, tripping into the elevator with him, grasping, beating, rushing—

But then a hand grabs my elbow.

It’s Finch.

He’s run up behind me, out of breath and clutching his side.

“They want to talk with you, Bevvy.”

My head whips around. “What? Who?”

“The Connection people.”

“They do?”

“See?” Griffin says from the elevator. “Told you.”

“Wait—”

“I’ll text you.”

It happens so fast. Everything here, then gone.

The elevator door slides shut, and neither of us reach out to stop it.

I stand there, swaying in place.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

A palm lands on my shoulder, but I barely feel it.

You were wrong, Griffin.

“You okay?” Finch asks.

“What?”

“Beverly?”

“What?”

“C’mon.”