Page 66 of Dotted Lines (Runaway 5)

She didn’t know what she was suggesting. She didn’t know the pain it could cause Clara to go back to that place.

Holly didn’t even know the specifics of my childhood, let alone Clara’s. All I’d told her about my past was that I’d had a bad relationship with my mother and run away at sixteen.

Dinner conversation was nonexistent after that. At least, between the adults. August came to the rescue once more, providing the entertainment with tales of kindergarten and a long list of his favorite toys. When the waitress came with the check, Clara insisted on paying the bill.

“You brought me a car,” I said as we all walked outside. “You didn’t need to buy dinner.”

“I’m happy to. It was lovely to meet you, Holly.”

“You too.” Holly smiled. “I hope you keep in touch. Does Karson have your number?”

“I don’t.” I pulled my phone from my pocket, and when Clara recited hers, I sent her a text.

It dinged in her purse as she reached in to pull out the Cadillac’s keys. Clara turned them over in her palm, holding them for one long moment, then she handed them over. “She’s all yours.”

“Thank you.” The weight of the keys was too heavy. It wasn’t just handing over a car, it was the end.

This was goodbye.

“I’ll see you at home.” Holly gave my arm a gentle squeeze. Then she gave August a fist bump and walked to my Audi, the two of us having driven it here to meet Clara tonight.

I’d drive her to the hotel. Then go home.

To Holly.

We loaded up and I pulled away from the restaurant, finding it hard to meet even the minimum speed limit. Cars began to pile up behind us but I couldn’t press my foot into the gas pedal.

“Sorry. About Holly,” I told Clara. “She doesn’t understand.”

“No apologies needed. Most people don’t.”

The air was warm as it rushed past our faces. August seemed so content in this car. One of his hands rested on the door as he took in the world around him.

The Cadillac made too short a trip and as I parked in front of the entrance to the hotel, my lungs wouldn’t hold any air. The pain in my chest was crushing.

Clara was out the door the moment the tires stopped moving. She seemed in a rush to get August out of his seat and unclip the seat belt that had held it in place.

I got out, taking it from her to set it aside. “I could take you to the airport tomorrow.”

“No, that’s okay. We’ll get an Uber.”

“Mom, can we go swimming?”

“Sure, bud. Can you say goodbye to Karson?”

I knelt in front of him and held out my hand. “It was nice to meet you, August.”

He grinned as he shook it.

“Ouch.” I flexed my fingers after he let go. “Pretty strong kid you’ve got, Clara.”

She put her hand around his shoulders, pulling him into her legs as I stood.

Then I memorized her face, one last time. The pink bow of her lips. The golden flecks in her eyes. The smile that woke me from my dreams. The breeze picked up her scent and carried it closer. Oranges and vanilla. Sweet. Clara.

“It was good to see you.” My throat burned and the words came out in a rasp.

“You too.”