Page 26 (1/2)

“You want sonores me

A passing waiter hands me a menu but I ask if I can just have soright now, least of all breakfast

I never even spoke to mom about money before she left

I think Suze knows that too

“You’re up early,” I continue, trying to lighten the mood

Suze turns to face ht and crying

I caught a glimpse of myself in the restroom mirror earlier

I’ve had no sleep at all either but I feel and look like a new person

I’e

“Can we just skip the bullshit?” she says in a low voice, sniffling before turning away again

Feeling my smile fade I puffthe sudden urge to druers

This is going orse than I thought

My coffee arrives, and I drink it even though it’s a little too hot

It tastes a over theit for the first time

The world just looks better, tastes better, and definitely feels better

Even though I left Michael sleeping, I know he didn’t sleep a wink last night either, trying so hard not to crush ht Not that we actually slept a lot

I just wishout

I need to fix this before Michael wakes up Before Suze and I get home

As if thinking about the ic behind it, I can hear his deep voice further aishing so as he orders breakfast for our table

Suze groans, and clicking her tongue with a dirty glance in Michael’s direction, she makes to leave

“Suze, wait,” I plead, reaching out for her ar better of it

“Wait for what? Another install you two? I don’t think so,” she says dryly, walking away before I can say another word

The place where she sat is soon covered by Michael’s huge shadow, and I turn to face him

He liftshis head to kissmy mouth to call after her

“Uh,” Michael says, sounding apologetic “I picked a bad time to make an entrance didn’t I,” he observes