For a friend.Right.
He wandered the aisles with me, asking questions.Half-listening.Half-smiling.Totally leading.
Like he already knew what he wanted, but was more interested in watching me work for it.
We ended up back at the front counter, and he glanced at the time.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” he said, pulling out his phone, thumb hovering like he didn’tactuallywant to leave.
Then he looked up.Met my eyes again.Held them this time.
“What’s your name?”
“Cassidy,” I said, surprised it came out steady.
“Cassidy.”He said it like a secret.Like something he planned to keep.
“I’ll be back.I think I just found my new favourite place.”
I laughed, trying to brush it off.“Because of the books?”
“Because of the pretty girl behind the counter.”
My heart stuttered.Froze.Forgot what it was supposed to do.
He slid his phone across the counter.“Can I have your number?”
I hesitated.
Not because I didn’t want to.
But because Idid.
Because something about this...him, felt like it could unravel me.
Like if I gave him my number, I’d never get to be the same version of myself again.
And I wasn’t sure I could afford that.
Because I didn’t want to bejustthe pretty girl behind the counter.
He must’ve seen the war behind my smile, because he leaned in just enough to tilt the balance.
“It’s okay,” he said.“I’ll be back.I’ll earn it.That first date.”
Then he winked.“I’ve got a feeling it’s gonna be ourlastfirst date.”
And just like that, he walked out.
Left me standing behind the counter with my heart in my throat
and an ache I didn’t have a name for yet.
Chapter 3
I woke on the cold tile, my cheek pressed to the floor of my bathroom like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.
My mouth was dry, my skin felt clammy, and my eyes were heavy from crying myself into unconsciousness.
