Page 70 of Come Back to Me

“You guys are meeting again?”

“Yeah, we have a lot more to talk about. We barely scratched the surface today.”

“Well, go. Get some sleep. Text me in the morning.”

Opening the car door, I grab my purse and stand in front of Dani. “Aye-aye captain.” I stare at her. “I’m happy Noah sent me to you.”

“I’m happy Noah sent you to me, too.” I walk away from Dani’s car, waving at her as she pulls out of the parking spot.

I make my way upstairs to the apartment, unlocking the door as quietly as I possibly can.

Setting my purse on one of the bar stools and grabbing my phone out of the larger compartment, a light switch flips on.

What the hell?

Sage appears, sitting on one of our soft chairs in the living room. “Where have you been?”

She’s wearing a pajama set, a black crop top with spaghetti straps and black shorts withruffles at the bottom. Her dark brunette hair is in its natural curly state, and the light from the lamp is reflecting onto her amber skin.

“I don’t need to tell you where I am all the time. You’re not my mother. And I know you don’t really care.”

“Fine, don’t tell me.” She huffs, getting off the chair.

“Just want to let you know that Grayson’s coming here at 11 a.m. tomorrow.”

She whips her back, bringing it back down. “You don’t mean Grayson Becker, do you?”

“What other Grayson is there?”

“I don’t fucking know.”

I speed-walk past Sage, heading into my bedroom with her following me. She stands in the doorway with her arms crossed.

“What?” I scoff, turning around to face her.

“I’m worried about you.”

“Since when have you ever been worried about me?”

“You’re setting yourself up to get heartbroken…again,” she blurts out.

“I don’t need this right now, Sage.”

“What don’t you need?”

“This.” I gesture around the room with my hands. “I don’t need your negativity. I’ve already battled with my mind enough today. Please don’t make things worse.” My eyes narrow. “Also, what do you mean byagain? You knew where I was going earlier. Don’t try and deny it. You wished me luck.”

“Yeah, mainly because you were pressing me to wish you luck. Actually, I had no idea where the hell you were going or what you were doing. Dani texted Bella and I to tell us what was going on.” She looks down at the floor, lifting her head back up and avoiding any eye contact with me. “I know it doesn’t look like it, but I do care about you.”

“Who are we kidding here? I know you don’t. We both know I’m still here because you wouldn’t be able to afford rent byyourself. I wouldn’t even be here if you…” I trail off, realizing what I’m about to say would be incredibly selfish and rude.

“Oh, just say it. You wouldn’t be here if I had the means to live here by myself. Let me tell you, I was totally fine living on my own.”

Walking over to my bed, I sit down on the edge and lie back. “Why don’t I just pack my stuff and get out of your hair then?”

“Violet, I’m not asking you to move out.” She sits down next to me. “When I first met you, you were the human version of everything I hate. I could tell that you were fighting inner demons when I talked to you on the phone the day you called me. I don’t want to watch you turn into that again. I wouldn’t be able to deal with you if you were like that.”

“Youwouldn’t be able to deal with me. That’s fantastic.” I roll my eyes. “You know what? It’s getting late. I’m tired, and I need to get up relatively early tomorrow.”