I can see every detail with crystalline clarity: the way the dim light caught the angles of his face, the intensity in his gaze as he leaned closer, the slight parting of his lips just before they touched mine. That moment suspended in time, hanging there between us like a held breath, right before everything shifted and our mouths finally met.
Fuck, it was so hot.
My phone buzzes again, but I don't check it.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jenna devours her burger like she hasn't eaten in days. "Oh my God," she moans through a mouthful. "I'm literally always hungry now. It's insane."
I pick at mine, pull off a piece of bun. "That bad?"
"Worse. Last night I ate an entire bag of Doritos and still wanted more." She wipes ketchup from her chin. "Caine's gonna have to take out a second mortgage just to feed me."
I force a smile, push a fry around my plate.
"So." She sets her burger down. "You gonna tell me what's going on, or do I have to drag it out of you?"
I told her everything over text already, but she wants details. I give them to her. Daniel's slap. The blood. Reeves threatening him. Packing up my entire life in garbage bags.
She reaches across the table, squeezes my hand. "I'm so sorry."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
I pull my hand back. "I told him about Marco."
Her eyes widen. "You did?"
"While we were packing. I don't know why. Just... came out."
"What'd he say?"
"Nothing much. He just listened." I swallow. "I wanted him to understand. That I know what violence looks like. That I won't tolerate it."
Jenna nods slowly. "Good. He needed to hear that."
We eat in silence for a minute. She finishes her burger and starts on her fries.
"I've been thinking about an art class,” she says. “Watercolors. Just for fun.”
"Yeah?"
"Caine thinks it's a good idea. Says I should do something fun for myself before the baby comes." She dips a fry in mayo. "There's this class not too far—“
I'm totally not listening.
All I can think about is Julian's mouth on mine. His hands in my hair. The way he whispered my name like a prayer.
"Liza?"
"Hm?"
"You didn't hear a word I said."
"Sorry. I—"
"It's him, isn't it? Julian."
