Page 227 of Sorrow & Strangers

He wraps both arms around me and pulls me into his chest, burying his face into my hair. “If you’re confused, I will force myself to be patient once again. But I will be here.”

I exhale, relaxing against him.

“You were nervous to tell me this,” he says, pressing a kiss to my head.

“A little,” I say with a small nod.

“You expected me to react poorly?”

“I know, it’s weird cause you’re usually so levelheaded and reasonable,” I say, my lips twitching.

A chuckle rumbles in his chest.

“I should get to class.”

“You should, but before you do . . .” He pulls me back and turns me to face the mirror again. I know I could open my eyes right now and see who he is, but I can’t break his trust like that. “I want to take a photo.”

I frown.

“Humor me. It’ll make this whole situation easier.” I nod, and he whispers in my ear, “I miss this already, but I respect your wishes.”

He snakes one of his arms around my waist, and the other goes back to my thigh, dragging my skirt up just a little more. A tease. Fuck. He presses a kiss to my neck, and then I hear the soft shutter of his camera.

“Thank you, little fae,” he whispers, and then he’s gone.

Chapter Ninety-Four

Summer

At the end of the day, Alice and I are walking home, and I’m enjoying the warm afternoon fall air.

“So you and Max made up?”

“We’re cool,” I say with a small nod.

“So are you berserker bouncing or Stranger straddling?”

“Neither,” I say, looking ahead. “I’m celibate.”

“Ah, a celibate Summer. My favorite,” Alice says, and I throw her a look. “What?” she asks innocently.

“I can hear the sarcasm dripping through your words. It’ll be fine.” I sigh. “I’m going to focus back on school. And on myself.”

“Self-improvement Summer arc? I can definitely get behind that.” She nudges me. “I’m proud of you, Sum. You know that?”

“And I’m proud of you,” I say, bumping my shoulder against hers.

Alice shakes her head and reaches out, pulling me to a stop. “No, I don’t mean . . .” She thinks for a moment, and I turn to face her. “I know you didn’t want to be here anymore. For a long time.” Her eyes fill with tears. “So I’m proud of you.”

I pull her into a hug. For a while, I did want to die, and she knew it. She was painfully aware of it, and I can only imagine the terror she lived with every moment of every day.

“I know it was close,” she whispers, hugging me back, and for a long moment she just holds me before finally releasing me. “Sorry, emo moment.”

“It’s nice to know I’m not the only one Connor made into a mushy weirdo,” I say, cupping her cheek.

Alice’s cheeks heat, and she shoves me playfully. “How dare you! I’m not mushy.”

I quirk a brow, and we start walking again.