God, that feels like another lifetime.
I clear my throat and straighten up. His arms fall away, and I feel the loss of his touch instantly, like stepping out of warmth into the cold air.
“I did get us drinks,” I tell him, gesturing to the sad puddle on the ground. “But I dropped them.”
“I can see that,” he replies with a smirk.
I've missed that smirk. Well, I've missed his face.
“Let's grab some more. Then we can talk.”
He steps over the spilt drinks and lightly catches the edge of my sleeve, tugging me along with him. I’d follow him anyway. Always.
“Have you been okay?” he asks as we join the queue at the drinks truck. “Aria told me you haven't been to the studio.”
Blabbermouth.
“I've just had a lot on my mind,” I say, keeping my eyes on the menu even though I haven't really read a single word of it. “But I did call Aria this morning.”
That gets his attention.
“About the dance show she asked me to perform in after New Year's,” I continue. “I told her I’d do it.”
He's quiet before I see a small smile appear on his face. “You'd be stupid not to. You're an incredible dancer.”
He has no idea how much that means to me.
“Have… you been okay?”
He huffs out a weak breath.
“Honestly? No. And I might be a prick for saying it, but it's been the shittest week of my life.”
At least he isn't pretending.
It's been the same for me.
Our turn comes up, and he orders for both of us. I watch him as he speaks, the calm confidence in his voice, the way his hand rests casually on the counter.
I start fiddling with the ends of my coat sleeve, twisting the fabric between my fingers.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him quietly when he's finished. “For leaving like that. Without actually speaking to you.”
He hands me my drink, his fingers brushing mine.
“I get it. Doesn't mean it wasn't hard knowing you found it easy to leave.”
That stings.
Elijah starts walking, a little faster than before, weaving away fromthe thickest part of the crowd. I have to hurry to keep up, nearly spilling my drink.
“I didn't find it easy,” I insist, catching up to him. “I panicked. That's all it was. I panicked, and before I knew it, I was at Quinn's.”
“You sent me one message.”
“I know.”
“You said you wanted to end it.”
