Page 75 of Forget Me Not

Once the door closes behind him, I let the first tear fall. Then the next.

When did life get so damned hard? When did I go from planning my prom night with my boyfriend to paying bills, watching my grandparents decline to shells of who they once were? When did I start running and when in the hell do I stop?

I’ve done good things in my life. I’ve helped whoever I could. I’ve never stolen. I don’t lie.

So, why does it feel like I’m being punished?

You’re feeling sorry for yourself, the voice in the back of my head chimes.

And now, I feel like an asshole.

Burying my head in my hands, I let myself really cry for the first time since all of this started with Reid. This is hard. Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Move on from the past and force myself to feel things I haven’t in years. No one said it would be easy, but then again, no one said it would feel like my chest is being ripped open, either.

The bench jostles and I jump, hurriedly wiping my tears, but there’s no one there.

No one but Creamsicle, sitting beside me and watching me. His orange tail swishes back and forth, fluffy and matted with old leaves.

He stares at me.

I stare back.

He’s never gotten this close to me, before.

“Creamsicle. Are you cool? You’re not going to attack me, are you?”

He doesn’t answer, just like Toast, so I raise my palm up to him and he gives it a sniff, before finally rubbing his face along my fingers.

“Holy shit,” I breathe, chuckling in disbelief. “Are you like actually letting me pet you?”

No response.

I chance a movement and pet the top of his head, one that has him purring louder and cuddling up against me.

“Okay . . . Well, do you want to come back to my place? I probably stink. I need a shower.”

Creamsicle eyes me before jumping down.

“I take that as a no.”

He meows.

“Whatever you say,” I murmur, rising to my feet. “Well, I have to go let Toast out, but I’ll be back for breakfast, lickety-split.”

Another meow.

I leave him sitting there, watching after me as I climb the hill back to the cottage thinking about what Pap said.

I don’t want to see you get hurt.

A sinking feeling fills my gut because if Pap knew what I did, he’d never allow Reid back into the inn.

Because I, Nova Lynn Fischer, am the world’s biggest idiot.

And I’m falling in love again.

I’ve made a mistake.

A fucking big one.

---