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He bleeds into everything, and I can't escape it. Even after not seeing him for the past month and a half, he's still everywhere.
How can I continue living here knowing he's right around the corner? Or watch his shop flourish. I’ve walked by discreetly many times and saw the increase in business, the renovations that were done. Leigh told me Gramps won it at the auction, Finn leaving with his tail tucked between his legs.
I'm happy for them. Happy they didn't lose the shop, the place like a second home for them, and happy that Finn got what he deserved. I hope I never have to see that waste of space again.
But now I need to make myself happy.
By taking a dream job and starting fresh.
No one'll know me, no rumors, no bumping into people I happen to know or see.
But the tears still fall, the hopeless feeling still lingering around me. How did I get here?
By falling in love with a man who doesn't love you back. Didn't you learn your lesson with Finn? Obviously not.
My phone blares through the car’s Bluetooth speakers, and I cringe. I always forget to turn that damn Bluetooth volume down. The number on the screen doesn't look familiar, so I decline it. But they call back, again and again, until finally I answer and tell them to knock it off.
“Addi? Finally.”
Lights flicker behind me, the person in the car waving their hands frantically. It’s hard to make the person out now that night has fallen, but the endless light flashing and horn honking has me freaked out.
“Cole?” I ask. “What—how did—how did you get my number?”
“Leigh, but that's beside the point. Pull over.”
I grip my steering wheel. “No! What are you doing anyway? How the hell did you find me?”
“Just pull over so we can talk.”
“No, there's nothing to talk about Cole. You made it clear how you felt.”
“Listen, Addi, I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please pull over. There's a shopping mall ahead on the right, pull in there.”
I want to scream no. Throw my hands around and pound my fists while stomping my feet as if I'm three years old and didn't get the last cookie. But I don't. Deep breaths.
“Fine.” I grunt and pull into the lot. How did he even know there was a mall here?
He parks beside me and hops out of his Jeep, but I don't move. He's in front of my window seconds later. With a big inhale, I open the door and slide out.
I can't look at him. If our eyes meet, it's all done.
I'll break in two.
Two fragmented pieces of myself I'll never put together the same way. They'll always be jagged and rough, a messed-up version of who I was and should be.
“Addi,” Cole’s voice washes over me. Being this close to him has my insides going haywire.
Stay strong. He broke your heart once; there's a great chance he'd do it again.
“Look at me, beautiful.” He tries to push my chin up with his finger, and at first, I don't give in. I'm stubborn and hardheaded. Fuck him.
But then the next moment, my defense crumbles, and I'm melting ... melting into a big puddle at his feet.
When I look up and meet his eyes, I brace myself for it. For the crack, the break, the inevitable happening.
But it doesn't.
All I see is his love; pure, unconditional love radiating off him in waves.
