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Maybe I should take a Xanax right now Let it hithours, and we’ll both sleep

I open the drawer and peer down at the pile of them Part of me doesn’t want to take one I have this desire to be totally present now that he’s here I blow a breath out, running ertips over the pills

The bathroom door opens, and I jump a mile Ezra looks as shocked as I do—wide-eyed, with hisover his brows He frowns at me Then he frowns down at the drawer I can see the moment that he realizes His eyes widen fractionally more and his face takes on a just-slapped sort of look His eyes come to mine

“Josh?” His brows bend in confusion

“Yes?” My heart is racing; I can feel it pound behind my sore eyes

HisAnother frown at the drawer, and then he looks at me “Are you okay?”

Of all the things he could have asked It makes my eyes throb with fresh tears

I can’t speak, can’t even s He steps towardme, but we’re chest to chest His head tilts a little, and he’s looking at

“I can’t read you as well as you read h froer cohtly underneath

“Have you been crying, Josh?”

He looks pained at the prospect I close my eyes, suck a breath in I put a hand over my face, so if a tear leaks out, he won’t see it

Then his arht and rests his face against my shoulder “Hey, Josh Miller It’s okay” His hand rubs a circle on my back I wrap my ar good against ether I lean back against the counter, and I feel his lips brush my throat

“Talk to hter “I can listen, and I’d never judge you You can trustup at ives oofy little sain

“What’s got you crying, Millsy?”

I shut my eyes Shake my head

“You want o?” His voice is husky

I shake rip onme to my bed

He lays ently, maybe sadly “My Miller,” he whispers “Is that okay?” His face sobers, and he looks worried “Is this too much? Too soon?”

I shake h coel”

He crawls overmy hips, and he smooths my hair back off my forehead “You’re so perfect, Miller” He strokes my hair “I don’t like to see you upset If you’re sad, I wanna make you happy”