Because if she did,
She wouldn’t go at all.
37
Almost Gone
Bymid-afternoon,shewasback at the Monroe house, standing in the middle of her bedroom, staring at the suitcase that felt like a death sentence.
The room smelled the same. Looked the same. Felt the same.
But she didn’t.
Savannah had packed and unpacked twice already, like somehow dragging out the process would change something. Like maybe if she just kept stalling, the universe would intervene.
But it wouldn’t.
No matter how much she tried to delay it, time kept moving forward, shoving her closer and closer to the inevitable.
And God, it hurt.
Mallory sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, watching her with an expression that wasn’t just concern anymore. It was frustration.
It was rage.
"You don’t have to do this."
Savannah sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. "Yes, I do."
Mallory shot up from the bed so fast it made Savannah jump.
"Why?"
The word cracked in the air between them, full of desperation, full of something frantic and pleading.
Savannah turned to face her, and the sheer intensity in Mallory’s eyes made her stomach twist.
Because she didn’t have an answer.
Because this was never supposed to be permanent.
Because what if this wasn’t real?
Because what if it was?
She inhaled sharply, shaking her head, trying to convince herself. "Because it’stemporary."
Mallory scoffed, her arms flying into the air as she paced the room, exhaling in disgusted disbelief. "Bullshit."
Savannah flinched.
"You think I don’t see it?" Mallory snapped, whirling on her, eyes blazing. "You think I haven’t been watching you fall for him every damn day?"
Savannah’s throat tightened. "Mallory, please—"
"No." Mallory’s voice cracked, the fight between them suddenly so much more than an argument. "You love him, Savannah. And don’t you dare try to lie to me."
Savannah’s chest caved.
