“You two are that close?”
“Yes, she is my best friend. With her, I don’t have to…”
“Pretend. I know, baby. I’m glad you found each other.”
“She’s not happy, Tristan. This life in the shadows is not for her. She’s meant to shine.”
I don’t think I am betraying Evie, but I am getting worried. Maybe if she moved to New York, teaching and not hiding her real identity would help her.
He draws in a lungful of air. I know he comes from a good place, trying to protect her and keep her safe. Anonymity ensures you can live unbothered.
“Have to go to my next class. See you soon. Love you.”
The words slip out of my mouth with such ease, I freak out and hang up. Oh my god. I slap a palm on my mouth, not believing the complete cut between the filter from my brain to my mouth.
The world spins, and I brace a hand on the wall and palm my chest in a desperate attempt to calm the erratic beating that threatens to burst any moment. Not me just confessing my feelings for him while our relationship is so fresh.
He must think I am insane. I debate shutting off my phone and disappearing somewhere untraceable, where I can face my embarrassment in peace when my phone rings in my hand. One jarring ring after another jolts my nerves while I remain paralyzed in place.
Remembering that I promised I won’t worry him by not answering, it yanks me out of my stupor. Inhaling deeply, I answer, remaining perfectly still, exercising myself in invisibility.
“You have to tell me something, and this time don’t hang up.”
I gulp. “You mean the…?”
“The ‘I want you to own your feelings part,’ yes.”
“Do you own yours?” I breathe out, wishing he feels the same, so we can share this marvelous conundrum. Being left alone in my love would be unbearably cruel, burying me under a merciless weight until I slowly asphyxiate.
“Then I did a shitty job this month at showing you how fucking deep I am with you.”
That instantly pulls a smile on my face, easing me. “I freaked out.”
“I got that.”
“But I also kind of want to say it to your face,” I say, emboldened enough that I could shout it from the top of my lungs.
“I accept that.”
“So understanding. What did you do to my demanding man?” I ask in a teasing tone.
“He’s still there, itching to prove something to his brat of a woman,” he groans, his voice betraying he’s on edge, losing patience.
“Sure, you can try.”
“Fuck, I’m mad about you.”
Good, because if I were alone in this beautiful mess, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself except go insane.
I giggle in reply, and he says, “Four more hours, three minutes, and twenty seconds.”
Feeling delighted he is even more desperate, I end the call, and my entire day brightens as I finish today’s classes.
I return to my dorm to change and pack when there’s a knock on my door.
Hmm, maybe Evie forgot her key. It wouldn’t be the first time.
I rush to open it, coming face to face with Dario, his poker face on, not revealing if he found out and is about to berate me, forcing me to end my relationship with Tristan.
