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Stealing wasn’t always about wanting so to correct them And it was a reminder that my reality wasn’t onefa a liter of water to have so in your belly, just so you could fall sleep

I sat inwheel, staring up at the house Run in, grab ear, and then meet Jules I ordered the taxi on my phone Three minutes

The street was quiet, not too many people around The perfect time for so sexy behind in the mailbox I’d just done two hours of hardcore physical activity, andlike I’d just finished a marathon

Cli out of my car, I took the steps three at a time and stood on the porch in front of the mailbox I let out a breath and lifted the lid The same heart-under-heel disappointment squeezed my chest It was still there My note The one I’d re-written ten ti waves of disappointher It would only be a matter of time before I drowned

Every day with no word fro thata connection to someone out there in the world who knew more aboutme out

At least heading to this weekend party thing with Julesme every time I walked in the door A few days aould help me clear my head and break the spell TLG had on me—maybe

8

Jules

It was alo inside without Berk, mainly so I didn’t chicken out and cancel on him at the last minute Plus, at least if he were here then I’d have a friendly face in the crowd Hanging with my mom’s country club cohorts and Laura’s friends wasn’t exactly my comfort zone Laura had already taken my carry-on suitcase and they’d stashed it somewhere

The building’s granite and marble historical structure cast a wide shadow over the city street

“Sorry, I’ He had a duffle over one arm and a backpack over the other

The door to the building swung open again and Laura strolled out Her step faltered for a second when her gaze landed on Berk “You’re here” Her sly sweet

A nighth e to be the perfect, beautiful sister, and I caught her and Berkout in an alcove somewhere

Or worse, in intense conversation filled with laughter and any excuse to touch one another like the thought of being physically separated hurt And they’d pull ement because she and Berk just clicked He’d say neither of thes come from the most unexpected places And then she’d throw in that it wasn’t like Berk and I would’ve lasted, and I should be happy that she’d finally found the one—again I should be happy she wasn’t with Chet any to have him back

Now it felt like ht’ve had a secret self-destruct button I hadn’t known about