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So I’m thoroughly enjoying piling more items into my overflowing cart.
“You’ve already got conditioner.” Quinn mock sighs, looking down at the leave-in treatment.
“Really? We’re having this conversation again?” I smile as I reach for a minty mouthwash and toss it onto the pile of essentials.
Since my breakdown, I’ve tried to keep our conversation light because Quinn doesn’t need me to lose it again. But I honestly don’t even know where to go from here. I mean, I’m not naive, so I wasn’t expecting a happy reunion with no issues. But Iwasexpecting some kind of explanation as to why she left me.
I guess the truth was staring me in the face this entire time. And no matter how ugly, it’s best I just accept the fact that my mother didn’t want me.
I can’t even begin to digest the fact that I have a sibling. Growing up, I never craved a sister because I never wished another living soul to go through what I did. But after seeing Polly, a part of me, in a sick, twisted kind of way, wishes I had her life.
I wishIwas the one living in a mansion with a mother who actually gave a shit about me. Instead, I feel like the problem child who was left to rot.
Lost in my head, I fail to notice something sticky sliding down my cheek until it hits the floor with a loud splat. My eyes focus on the blob of pink goo to my right, and I quickly raise my fingers to my gluey face.
When my fingers pull away with the same pink matter coagulating on the floor, I say, “What the hell?”
Upon closer inspection, I can see the unidentifiable gunk is actually some kind of cream. Cream that Quinn is currently holding.
“What was that for?” I ask, wiping my cheek with the back of my sleeve.
Quinn shrugs while looking at the jar with close scrutiny. “To see if this cream can actually rejuvenate the skin in under a minute. I have my doubts,” he adds, examining my face with a smirk.
And that’s it. He offers no other explanation. But he doesn’t need to explain his actions because I can read him without words. And obviously, he can read me just as well.
I’m the luckiest girl alive to have Quinn’s affections. After my deplorable performance earlier, I wouldn’t blame him if he hitchhiked his way back to the US. The fact that he’s a fugitive, however, may have something to do with that—another reason why he should just dump my ass and go back to his normal life.
But the past few weeks have shown me that Quinn is not going anywhere, andthat’swhat makes me the luckiest girl alive. I’ve tried in vain to push him away, but it’s like moving a stubborn, infuriating brick wall.
I know Quinn has secrets, just like me, but before we met, he wasn’t a fugitive and wanted for a murder he didn’t commit. Nor was he wanted for aggravated assault and kidnapping, which is what he most likely will be facing if caught, thanks to the stunt he pulled in the department store.
“We’re in so much trouble.” I sigh, sidestepping the blob of cream and walking down the aisle.
“How’s that any different from our situation a week ago?” Quinn asks, tossing a pack of razors into the cart.
“Well, a week ago,” I say, lowering my voice when a shopper squeezes past us, “you weren’t wanted for kidnapping, and you hadn’t threatened to blow an innocent shopper’s head off.”
Quinn only shrugs, casually brushing off my claims. “Well, a week ago, we weren’t a hair’s breadth away from being caught. I did what I had to, and when the time comes, I’ll deal.”
I latch onto his arm to stop his retreat, as his laid-back attitude concerns me.
“Wewill deal,” I correct, raising my eyebrow, ensuring he understands I meant every word I said in that alleyway.
I won’t allow him to take the blame for this whole mess. Whatever happens, we stick together.
“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
“Define stupid,” he says with a smirk, but it is quickly wiped clean when my face falls in panic.
“I’mkidding. I promise,” he confirms, raising his pointer finger to his chest. “Cross my heart, hope to…” But he thankfully stops because what he’s about to say is making me sick.
His eyes soften as he strokes a knuckle along my cheek. “Hope to live. I hope to live, Red. With you. After this is over, I hope to live a boring life…with you.”
His heartfelt confession is music to my ears, and a small smile tugs at my lips as I place both palms against his warm chest.
“A life with you could never be boring, Quinn Berkeley,” I whisper, slowly lifting my eyes to meet his, and I mean every word.
This is our first time openly discussing life together after this crazy roller-coaster ride ends. And I hope it’s not the last. The thought of my future with Quinn firmly rooted in it is a future I can’t wait to experience.
