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Michael Sullivan

He was here

In Hartwell

In Emery’s bookstore

He had a short, scruffy beard and there were lines around his eyes that hadn’t been there before, but it was him I’d know him anywhere

Tears welled in ripped my chest I hadn’t seen hi for the first time in a decade, only for that breath to painfully slip away, its momentary relief over all too soon

He smiled at Bailey and then me

As our eyes locked and surprise slackened his features, a weight pressed down on my chest “Dahlia?”

Hoas he here?

Why was he here?

Go away, go away, go away!

“Michael,” his name fell from my lips

Michael I loved his name I loved … I loved … I …

I was going to lose it

Right there in front of hi