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No! I want to cry out That’s not what Iand falling quickly with his barely-contained temper I stare back, and for ato back down

Finally, Emerson exhales "So much for civil," he ives"I told myself, I’d at least try to be civil to you"

Civil

His words send a fresh ripple of pain through me as I realize the bleak truth behind his words If that’s the best he can hope for--if he has to force himself to even say a polite word to ined

"I have to go!" I blurt, lurching away from him I stumble in the sand, and nearly fall E for h me from the contact of his hand on azes back So ricochets between us, that undeniable flood of desire and longing and ainst mine…

I pull back like I’ve been burned

"Bye," I tell hiht in front of him "Take care of yourself" I add, and my voice coer

Emerson blinks "Uh, sure You too"

I don’t stick around to hu back up the dunes as fast as hs burn as I clamber up the sand, but I don’t stop, even for a second I know this is the last time I’ll ever see him, but force myself not to turn back for one e of hiraph Face set with disappointry to knohat I’ve s, and I feel my protests rise up in ht call, I reassure myself I had to I picked myself up after his cruel rejection, and did what I could to mend my broken heart The life I’ve chosen is solid, and real--not sohty dream of art school, and God knohatever would coh, I couldn’t face the insecurity that co paycheck to paycheck, never knohat’s around the corner I’d had enough poverty and instability to last a lifetiic curveballs the world could fling my way

I was done with reckless, I wanted safe and sure and true

Emerson made sure of that

CHAPTER FOUR