Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 51243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“If you don’t tell me where she is, I’ll just follow you.”
“You mean you’ll stalk me?”
“Call it whatever you want.”
“Why don’t I just go ahead and call the police?”
“You won’t.”
“How do you know for sure?”
“Go ahead and do it now, then.” I stepped back, crossing my arms. “I’ll wait.”
She stared at me, silent for several seconds. Finally, she let out a breath, shaking her head.
“You really hurt her, Taylor,” she said quietly. “You fucked up.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Are you?” She snapped. “Do you have any fucking idea how many nights she’s lost sleep over what you did?”
“Cecelia…”
“You couldn’t help yourself, huh?” Her face reddened. “You just had to show her you still had the upper hand, right? You’ll always be a fucking bully in her eyes, and I hope you know that.”
“I…” I shook my head. “Can you tell me where she is so I can make it right, please?”
“No.” She shook her head again. “She made me promise not to say anything to anyone.”
“I don’t want her to hurt anymore, Cecelia.”
“Then walk away and let her get over you like a normal ex-boyfriend,” she said. “She doesn’t love you anymore.”
“She told you she loved me?”
“No.” Her cheeks reddened. “Now go away. I really did promise her I wouldn’t tell you where she was if we ever crossed paths.”
“Then don’t say a word.” I pulled a pen from my pocket. “Write it out for me…”
TRACK 45. YOU ARE IN LOVE (5:27)
AUDREY
Iwasn’t sure whether to accept that my entire childhood was a lie or believe that my parents loved me so much that they couldn’t bear to let me see the truth.
From everything I’d read at this point, the only thing they ever agreed on was me. Their joint fiction was a way of creating an alternate reality where love actually meant something—a place where the lessons they preached to everyone else were what they wished they could believe in themselves.
Setting down another one of my dad’s letters, I turned on the coffee maker and checked my text messages.
Cecelia
Stuck in some crazy-ass traffic. Still on my way!
Jordan (Neighbor Down the Street)
Don’t forget you owe me a coffee date today
Shit. I totally forgot.
I didn’t forget! Whimstery Cafe in15?
Jordan
I’ll be there
I unplugged the coffee maker and exchanged my pajamas for jeans and a purple sweatshirt.
My phone flashed a 1 percent charge warning as I started to text Cecelia.
Sighing, I grabbed my charger and left a note on the door for her:
At the coffee café in town for a date with Jordan. Come save me if I’m not back when you see this!
The baristas behind the counter blushed and laughed as I stepped into the café. Following their eyes, I saw Jordan sitting in a corner booth.
His deep green eyes gleamed under the low lights, and from here I could see exactly why he was the center of everyone’s attention.
“You look beautiful as hell today.” He smiled as I approached him.
“Thank you. You too.”
“Caramel latte with cinnamon?” He extended a cup.
“I appreciate it.” I took a long sip. “So, how have you been?”
“I’ve been wondering why you haven’t called me back.”
“I talked to you on the phone four days ago.”
“Don’t you think that’s kind of a long time to go without talking to someone you like?”
“I…” I took another sip, and he laughed.
“Sorry if I’m coming off strong,” he said. “I just really like you, and I think we have a shit ton in common. You’re literally the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“That’s very sweet of you to say.”
“It’s the truth.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Let me guess, you’re still getting over your last boyfriend?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He wasn’t my boyfriend.”
“Good to know,” he said. “If you don’t mind me asking… what was he, then?”
“At this point, I honestly don’t know.” I cleared my throat, desperate to change the subject. “Do you want to hang out tonight?”
“Yeah, I was about to ask if—”
“Get your hands off my girlfriend.”
Taylor’s deep voice made the entire café fall silent.
I looked up—and every beat in my chest tripped over the next.
“Who the hell are you?” Jordan scoffed.
“Someone who’s not interested in repeating himself.” Taylor glared at him. “Get your goddamn hands off her. She’s taken.”
“Funny.” Jordan tightened his grip around me. “She’s never mentioned anything about that to me.”
“Because she knew I would tell you.”
“Taylor…” I shook my head. “Taylor, please don’t—”
“What?” His eyes met mine. “Tell him the truth?”
I swallowed as Jordan glanced between us, but he didn’t let go.
“A few weeks ago, she was in my bed and in my arms,” Taylor said, his voice low. “And years before that—ever since we were in middle school—she’s been mine. So feel free to bow out of a losing game whenever you realize you’re temporary and I’m permanent.”
“I thought you said you didn’t have a boyfriend, Audrey.” Jordan glared at me. “What the hell is this asshole talking about?”