I slip my shoes on and a zip-up sweatshirt that I
can barely close, but by now everybody knows,
there’s no use trying to hide it. I get down to the
bar counter where Rain is laughing at something
that Liam just said and I decide to go back because
I can’t stand being around their love right now, but
before I can turn around I smack right into
something thick and massive.
My legs are quivering.
I don’t need to turn around. I know it’s him.
I can sense his presence like I know myself, as
if it was something that belonged to me. His hand
brushes my shoulder and I tremble at his touch
because I’ve missed him and I’m still missing him,
but I can’t give in and go back on what I’ve
already decided.
“Erin…” he whispers in my ear in that rough
sexy voice and God only knows what else. “Don’t
run away, I beg you.”
I shake my head and choke back the tears and
pray to God that this is some kind of hormonal
hallucination. I’m not strong enough to let him go.
“I’d like to talk to you. I need to talk to you.”
I grab my courage and breathe in before saying:
“We don’t have anything to say to each other.”
Then I free myself from his grasp and go back
upstairs with a shoulder that still burns from his
touch. I climb the stairs knowing that he is behind
me. Patrick isn’t one who easily gives up. I try to
shut the door in his face but he blocks it with his
