AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We can tell them the truth,” she answers. “Everything that happened between us. We care for each other, but the timing—at least right now—may not work to give this a real shot.”
My timing is perfectly fine.
I struggle to brush away my prickling resentment to focus on making the best decision for us both. “So, you go back to New York, and I’ll go back to California alone?”
She nods. “Yes.”
“Are we trying to stay in touch? You’ve mentioned being afraid ofusceasing to exist if we’re not in each other’s lives every day.”
“You’re right. I am afraid of that.” The right corner of her mouth droops down. “I’m afraid that we’ll be away from each other, and this summer will fall into the back of our minds like some dream.”
That’s definitely not fucking happening to me. I know what I feel for her is real.
She blows out a breath. “But I don’t think it’ll help me prioritize my space if we do. I hope you’ll accept me reaching out when I’m ready.”
I stare at her for a long moment.
Remembering each freckle painting her nose and cheeks.
Memorizing the specks of forest green in her eyes, which stare at me with such potent sadness.
I force my mind away from everything that could’ve gone differently today.
What if I didn’t bring up my feelings for her?
What if I just pretended everything was fine?
What if I made an effort to fight harder right now? Would she take the chance on our future?
But it’s pointless.
Every single spiraling what-if means nothing if she’s made up her mind.
“Okay. Let’s change our flights and get you home.”
Chapter40
Lily
“Anyone here?”I stumble through the townhouse, winding up the spiral staircase to my room.
Seems like Molly is still in the Hamptons.
Being alone in New York these past three days has been absolutely dreadful. Today, I mustered enough energy to go outside for the first time since getting back from Cyprus.
A breath of fresh air was actually…comforting.
I drag the anvil of loneliness with me up the final few steps, fidgeting with the two bracelets Nico gifted me this summer.
I haven’t been able to take them off, and I don’t think I want to. They make me feel like pieces of him are still with me—despite my insistence on the distance from him.
An email alert on my phone chimes, so I click through to the message only to find one of the old dating apps offering me a month free to rejoin their platform.
My finger quickly finds the unsubscribe button.
That’s not what I want anymore—random hookups and dazed mornings. It was lonely and mechanical. Nothing like the way I felt this summer.
My mind repeats the same phrase it’s been replaying for the past few days:Did I make a mistake?
