Page 45 of The Bridges I've Burned

“I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized, blinking a few times in an effort to force myself back into the conversation. “What did you say?”

The older woman across the table seemed unfazed and repeated the question. “Is there anything you recommend us doing in Richmond when we visit?”

She was a relative of Marin… An aunt maybe?

Shit, I can’t remember.

“Oh…” I covered my mouth with my napkin, even though I’d barely touched my food. All I could think of when I stared down at my food was the pink heart that was taped underneath. My stomach swirled. “There are, um, tons—museums, parks, amazing restaurants. Are you Poe fans?”

Her sparse white eyebrows furrowed.

I guess not.

I pulled out my phone and slid it across the table. “Give me your number,” I suggested, trying to smile even though all I really wanted to do was tell her to fucking google it, throw down my napkin, and run. “I’ll send you a list.”

She seemed pleased with the suggestion, and I let out a staggered breath. I looked around the table, noticing how everyone was engaged in animated conversations, their moods happy and jovial.

Like yours should be.

The woman finished punching in her phone number and handed it back to me, and she opened her mouth once again. “So what?—”

“How is Texas this time of year?” Zander interrupted her, making my head turn.

He leaned over the table and smiled. The woman’s eyes raked over his edgy, dark haircut with the shaved sides, the pierced brow, and all those tattoos covering his forearms.

And she freaking blushed.

“Oh, it’s miserable,” she answered, fiddling with the pearl buttons on her sweater cardigan.

Was there a single woman on this planet he couldn’t charm? I’d be mad about it if it wasn’t for the fact he’d purposely distracted her from interrogating me any further.

I didn’t know how I felt about that. He shouldn’t know me so well.

Someone laughed, and I turned. Macon was kissing Marin’s temple, laughing at something her sister had said. Her parents were huddled over something—was that a sonogram picture?

“I’ll be right back,” I said suddenly as I rose from my seat.

Zander looked up, a note of concern flashing across his face.

“You okay?” he questioned.

I nodded. “Just need to use the restroom,” I assured him.

He didn’t seem convinced, but let me go anyway.

It wasn’t like he could follow me to the restroom.

I was thankful that mostly everyone was still mid-meal, and I had a clear path across the restaurant. After my last conversation, I was at my limit for idle chatter at the moment. I followed the signs to a small hallway, and there, I found the ladies’ restroom. I pushed the door open and let out a sigh of relief when I checked the three stalls and found them all empty.

I went to the sink and stared at myself in the reflection. My red lipstick was mostly gone, but outwardly, I mostly looked the same as I had when I left the house less than two hours prior.

Beautiful, polished, and put together.

Inside, I felt disgusting and ugly.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I whispered, my lips quivering as I said it. My arms wrapped around my middle as I tried to will myself back together.

A quiet knock sounded at the door.

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