“My wedding will be the perfect place to rekindle your love.” A wide smile blooms on Asami’s face.
I groan, shaking my head. “Why do you two insist on meddling in my love life? There’snothingto rekindle. I’m not gonna ask her to go with me. Annalise made it very clear that she wants nothing to do with me.”
“That’s not true.” Okasan shakes her head. “I know deep down she still loves you too. Keep fighting for her and remind her why you two belong together, Masashi.”
I let out a heavy sigh. I don’t know if I have the strength to fight again. Trying to win Annalise back will be a losing battle.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
annalise
My head is pounding.Veronica doubled my workload today and I barely had time to take a break. As soon as five o’clock hit, I rushed out of there before she could find something else for me to do. Thank God it’s Friday and I don’t have to be back in that hellhole for another two days—though, honestly, two days is never enough.
I didn't see Maddox at Dauntless this week. Maybe he’s been busy traveling for games. I thought I would be relieved that he’s not around, but I find myself craving his presence.
Why does he have to be so damn caring? It would be easier for me to keep hating him if he acted like an asshole. I’ve tried to block it from my mind, but I can’t stop thinking about how he went out of his way to take care of me the night I was drunk and the morning after.
I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t still attracted to him. Maddox Kamado is irresistibly sexy, and my body betrays me when I’m around him.
The moment we shared on his couch has replayed in my mind more times than I care to admit. When I’m in my bed lateat night, my hand wanders between my legs as I imagine Maddox thrusting inside of me.
I bet he would get a kick out of it if he knew my self-indulgence sessions were because of him.
Maybe if I started dating, I could get him off of my mind—but I refuse to go on a dating app ever again. Sure, it works for some, but all the dates I’ve been on have been a disaster. I want to meet someone organically, but even that is hard. All the men I meet at bars are creeps who only want one thing.
Now, relieved to finally be done with work for the week, I push my shopping cart toward the vegetable section to pick out some tomatoes and potatoes. Mom called me earlier and asked if I could stop by the grocery store to pick up a few ingredients for her.
She’s cooking ropa vieja for dinner—my favorite Cuban staple—but needed some ingredients for side dishes. I’ve attempted to make it myself a few times, but it never comes out as tender or flavorful as hers.
After I get what I need for Mom, I head toward the bakery. I’m craving some brownies. They usually run out by this time of day, but I remain hopeful.
“Damn it.” I release a sigh when I see that they’re gone.
My eyes scan the grocery store, hunting for another dessert to satisfy my sweet tooth. That’s when I spot Lucas Hilton, an old friend from high school, reaching for a container of freshly baked croissants.
“Lucas, hey!” I say, waving at him.
He glances up, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Hey, Annalise!” Lucas sets the croissants in his cart and struts toward me. “Wow, it’s been forever,” he says as he pulls me in for a hug.
When we finally step back, his eyes sweep over me. “I didn’t think it was possible for you to become more beautiful than you already were.”
I wave my hand in the air, smiling. “Oh, stop. You’re embarrassing me.”
“So, how have you been?”
“I’ve been good! I just moved back to San Francisco a little over a month ago. How are things with you?”
“I’m doing well. I actually moved back recently, too. I’ve been living in Colorado for the last four years. I’m sorry I haven’t kept in touch.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m horrible at keeping in touch with people, too. Mazi is the only person from high school I still hang out with.”
I was considered popular in high school. I was part of the cheer team, won prom queen, and dated the star athlete and most desirable guy at Seymour High. All the girls that used to tease me in elementary and middle school suddenly wanted to become my friend when I started dating Maddox. Mazi was the only genuine friend I had, so I didn’t bother to keep in touch with anyone else from our class.
“Yeah. I still keep up with Brian, but I only see him a few times a year.”
“It’s so hard to find time as we get older.”
Lucas glances at his phone. “Hey, I need to get going soon, but we should catch up over dinner. Next Saturday, if you’re free?”
