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You feel special You feel like a special little snowflake twinkling in the sun, until you realize he sle woman he comes into contact with, and then you just feel like a dope

He said, "Where you going in such a hurry, burind ether "Away frohtened and o around him, Trace stepped in my way

"Wait," he said, suddenly serious "I want to talk to you"

"No" I tried to ain, but he didn’t lettone I’d never heard "I really want to talk to you"

I looked hiold eyes that used to be able to coerceNot anymore

I said, "I know you’re not really clear on this, Trace, so let me break it down for you When a woman says no, she doesn’t mean yes She doesn’t mean maybe She doesn’t mean please try to talk me out of it because I really don’t mean it, but I just want you to work a little harder She ave me a chance to explain--"

"Explain! " Astonished by his nerve, I laughed "Explain what? That you tripped and fell and your penis accidentally landed inside irl at Halley’s Market? And the waitress at Dooley’s? And whoever the bi you for a booty call at two a, Romeo You need to see a doctor for your balance problem"

At least he had the sense to look ashaed"

My brows lifted "Really? Got a brain transplant, did you?"

Very solemnly, Trace said "No I found God"

After a beat of shocked silence, I threw ood for you! Hallelujah! Now get your slutty butt out of my face before I lose ive him credit The old Trace would’ve been pissed about that remark Probably would’ve made a rude comment about my butt, which he used to tell me could be "fixed" by a visit to a lipo doctor But this Trace--whoever he was--only looked sad

"It’s been two years, Bianca I swear, I’m a different man Please, I just want to talk to you"

I folded et it This is like a thirteen-step prograet past the pearly gates?"

He winced "I think you mean twelve step And no, that’s not it I justYou cut ain--"

"I’d rather talk to a bill collector," I interrupted angrily "At least I know it’d be an honest conversation"

Then--hand to heaven, I could notol’ crocodile tear that sat there and glimmered and trembled like a lycerin in between filhly, "I’m sorry That’s all I wanted to say I treated you badly, and you didn’t deserve it I didn’t want to stalk you after we broke up, but I kept hoping I’d run into you somewhere And here you are SoI’h I did what I did It just took losing you to make me realize it"

He looked at his shoes, took a breath, and then ain Very quietly, he said, "Actually, I still love you, bumble bee I think I alill"

I adot a serious case of butterflies in the stomach Who doesn’t want the ex she wasafter he treated her like a disposable napkin?

Unfortunately for hiirl I aether

I took a breath, squared my shoulders, and lifted my chin "I can’t say it was nice to see you, Trace, but it was definitely interesting Good luck to you"