Page 10 of F*cking Shattered

When I stand, the guy leaning against the tree stands upright. I feel dizzy as I walk across the uneven ground to him. I hold out the empty glass for him to take.

“Thank you. I really needed that.”

He offers up a breathtaking smile and nods before taking the glass.

Kiss a stranger. I hear it like it was whispered in the wind.

Without thinking, I close the distance between us in two steps, and press my mouth to his. A spark shoots through me the second we touch. I place my hand on the side of his angular jaw as our lips and tongues glide against the others.

I can taste the liquor on him, and his deep, rich scent surrounds me.

I pull away and look up at his bright blue eyes. Something is brewing behind them, but my embarrassment has gotten the best of me so I don’t stick around to ask him anything. I turn and quickly walk away from him with heat radiating from my face and ears.

“You’re lucky I love you, Katie,” I whisper as I walk into the house through the sliding glass door.

The elegant house is littered with flowers that have been sent by their loved ones, and every square inch of the place is occupied by a grieving guest – a constant reminder of loss.

I try not to think too much about them as I navigate through the rooms, searching for my dad. I finally find him talking with Katie’s father, George, in the study.

“Hi, cupcake,” he says when he sees me walk in.

I offer a sad smile as I go to stand at his side.

“How are you, Jovi?” George asks. His blond hair is disheveled and turning white, and his blue eyes are surrounded in deep wrinkles, making him appear older than he really is.

I shrug. “Not so great. How is Mrs. Hansen holding up?”

I see his eyes water, but he refuses to let the tears fall. “Not very well. She came home and went directly to bed.”

I place my hand over his that is resting on the desk. “I’m sorry for everything.”

He nods and quickly pulls me in for a hug. “You’re welcome here any time. Please visit, you’re like another daughter to us.”

I step away and nod. “Thank you, Mr. Hansen.”

“Are you ready to go?” Dad asks me.

I nod before he tells George goodbye. As we turn to leave, George calls out my name.

“Oh, Jovi.”

I spin around to face him. “Yes?”

“I have something for you. I was going to give it to you at the funeral, but I couldn’t stand to leave my wife.” He reaches into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out something shiny. He holds it in the palm of his hand.

I step closer and see a silver necklace with a small glass charm. Inside the charm is swirls that looks like sand.

"We used some of her ashes to have this made for you. We knew you'd want to carry a piece of her with you."

Tears are building up on the brim of my eyes, threatening to overflow and spill down my heated face. With a shaking hand, I reach out and take the necklace. "Thank you so much," I say, almost in a gasp.

I hold the charm in my hand with the chain dangling down between my fingers. It’s so beautiful. In the center of the charm looks to be a small, pink flower with the ashes swirling around it. I clutch it to my chest as I lean in for a hug.

He squeezes me close. “I meant what I said. Please come visit. I don’t think Mary could stand losing you too.”

I pull away and wipe my tears, looking up to see him wiping away his own. “I will,” I promise.

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