Page 14 of After All This Time

“You were always wrapped up in your own world. You didn’t give a shit about anything, or anyone, outside of it.”

“And there you are making assumptions again.”

“I’m not making an assumption. It’s a fact.”

“You just stated an opinion which is much different than stating a fact since facts are usually backed up by evidence.”

“Okay, we’re not in science class, dumbass.” I burst out into laughter.

He narrows his eyes. “What the hell is so damn funny?”

“You know, you could thank me. I could’ve let you have a full-on panic attack in front of everybody here.”

He chuckles, licking his lips. “I mean you kinda did.”

A small smile tugs on the corners of my lips as I lean back on the chair. “Whatever.”

“Not that you probably care, but I do remember you have anxiety. I may have been an oblivious asshole, but I did pay attention to some things outside of my time in Noahland. Just putting that shit out there.”

If he’s known I’ve had anxiety all this time, why would he keep that to himself? God, why am I wasting my time on this? Why am I wasting my time on him? This is ridiculous. No, he’s being ridiculous.

“You’re still an asshole,” I fire back.

“And you’re still a bitch,” he says.

“This is exactly why I didn’t want to come here.”

I get up, rubbing my eyes and leaning my head back.

“And what reason is that?”

“I knew I’d have to deal with you.”

He gets up off his chair, walking closer to me. “Dani Solomon never backs down from a challenge, though, right?” He stands taller. “She never admits defeat.”

“Don’t put words into my mouth. And don’t talk about me in the third person.”

He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, like I’ll listen to you.”

“I expect nothing less.”

CHAPTER FOUR

noah

We’ve been at the hospital for hours now.

Don’t ask me the specific number because I have no idea what that number is.

I mean, I’m at the hospital, anxiously waiting for news about Dad and my sister. I never imagined I’d be here. At least, not for something like this.

It’s moments like these that make me re-evaluate what I’ve been doing with my life and not take things for granted.

I’ve spent the last several years working on a book I believed would never see the light of day. My dad is the one who convinced me I should publish it. He convinced me I should share my talent with the world which is fucking terrifying, but it’s worth it if I’m able to connect with readers.

Not taking things for granted is something I don’t think about often, mostly because I’ve never been in a situation where I didn’t have to think about it.

Until right now.

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