I stare at him, bored. “To evaporate. That’s a great start.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, I swear ever since your mom died, you’ve become a bigger bitch.” He closes his eyes, lips flattening in a tight line. “Shit, Josie. I didn’t mean?—”
My chest painfully squeezes and maybe it’s the air that feels too thin, making it hard to inhale. I don’t think as I throw my drink at his face.
“Fuck you,” I spit out and stalk off. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I walk and pick up the pace until I’m in the backyard.
People pass by me in a blur. I distinctly hear someone calling my name, but I keep walking until I’m standing in front of a fence.
I fan my blistering face, attempting to breathe, but it feels difficult.
Why did I come? I knew I wasn’t ready. I don’t belong here. I can’t breathe.
“Josefine.” I feel a warm hand on my bare shoulder, spiking my already accelerated heartbeat, but when I turn, it slowly wanes as I look up at Daniel.
Concern veils his face, his body shielding the world behind him, but still leaving space between us.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” His eyes search mine, and when he notices that my gaze is drawn to his hand, he drops it.
I don’t know how to tell him I wish he hadn’t done that. I don’t know how to tell him to put it back because it did something to me. Something I can’t explain and now my brain is spasming out on the simple gesture that I’m pretty sure was and is insignificant to him.
My mouth opens, but it feels dry, and the words I want to pour out get caught behind the shard of glass in my throat.
“I didn’t mean to touch you. I’m sorry,” he sincerely says.
“It’s okay.” I drop my gaze, feeling embarrassed. I just want to stay in the dark and be forgotten. I should’ve stayed home. “I’m fine. You can leave.”
“Are you sure?”
I hesitate before I reply, “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“What if…I stay but keep my distance?”
I lift my head. “Why are you always so insistent?”
“Because if I’m not, who will be?” His lips quirk into a small smile.
My stomach somersaults.
Whoa.
“Don’t feel obligated. I’m okay.”
“It’s no obligation. I want to be here.”
“Uh, okay then.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, finding it a little harder to breathe but for different reasons now.
What the hell is going on?
“I’m so happy you’re here, Josefine.”
Those words are all it takes to confiscate the little bit of air left in my lungs. I know he’s not saying that because I’m here at the party; he’s saying that becauseI’m here.I’malive.
And for a moment, his back to the world, his figure shielding me from it all, his smile that does weird things to my stomach, I feel a bit…fine.
12
DANIEL
