Page 19 of Shadows in Bloom

After sending Rhett a drop pin of my location, I drop down on the curb outside her building and twist my phone between my fingers. Flashes of last night threaten to overtake me completely. Every hot breath and aching touch. The way she figured out my body better than I’ve ever been able to.

Fiona kisses like it’s with her last breath, and I didn’t think anything could ever feel so necessary. The lingering tingle of her touch is still very much present, and it grounds me, keeping my anxiety at bay as I wait.

I glance around the parking lot, having to lean my body to the left to peer around the giant, white truck directly in front of me. The lot is mostly full of cars but devoid of people it seems, which I’m grateful for.

I close my eyes and roll my head between my shoulders, feeling a lot better than I did when I woke up. My neck aches, radiating up and into my head, but the sun is warm through the cloud cover, and the light breeze keeps it cool, which helps.

When I open my eyes, I nearly yelp when my gaze connects with a man’s through the windshield of the truck parked directly in front of me. My eyebrows pinch, and goosebumps prickle along my skin as the seconds tick by, the breeze feeling much colder all of a sudden. My lips turn into an awkward, pinched smile before I look away.

I tap my foot on the concrete, check the time on my phone, and readjust the cuff of my jeans. My eyes rotate, meet the man’s endless stare once more. This time, I frown, but before I can think much more of it, the rumbling of Dominik’s Mustang sounds through the air, and I push to my feet, brushing off the back of my jeans.

A few seconds later, Rhett whips into the parking lot, taking up at least two parking spaces.

“Do you have to be such an ass?” I call out as I walk over. Dom’s laughing in the passenger seat, cigarette dangling between his long fingers.

“Yes,” Rhett deadpans, making Dominik snort.

Rolling my eyes, I clamber into the back, my gaze drawn toward the white truck on instinct. I pull out my phone and barely make a note of the license plate before Rhett’s speeding off.

“So…” Dominik starts as he takes a drag, and I groan.

I have the worst friends.

5

FIONA

Istare dazedly down at the bouquet in front of me. The guy who delivered them is saying something to me. His lips are moving in my peripheral, but I don’t hear a word as I watch the bright white and dark purple calla lilies like they might reach out and fucking choke me.

“Yeah, thanks.” A hand clamps around my shoulder, and I jerk back on a gasp. I slam into the counter, knocking bottles over. A few clatter to the floor. Something glass shatters.

My eyes never leave those fucking flowers, colors webbed and blurred.

A face comes into view, and I blink, refocusing. Sebastian’s tanned face is creased, lips downturned as he moves side to side. I follow the movement, my body recognizing him before my brain does.

“Hey. Hey, Fi, can you hear me?” He waves his hand slowly, and once he’s certain I’m following, he slowly brings it closer until he’s touching my face. I flinch but don’t pull away as he drags his thumb back and forth over my cheek.

His smile is soft but reassuring, and after a few minutes, I feel the heavy weight of my heart beat slow. “Sorry,” I croak. He shakes his head, smile never faltering.

“Nah, don’t be. Are you okay, though?”

“I’m fine,” I defend, even if I know it’s futile.

“You’re not, but that’s okay; we can go with that. Wanna tell me what just happened? I signed for those flowers for you.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. I follow, eyes back on that fucking bouquet.

This can’t be happening again. It can’t be. I was so fucking careful.

My eyes fill with tears at the promise of what’s to come.

I have to leave.

And I can’t tell Jamie. Or Seb. Or fucking Jaxon and Leo.

I have to disappear—to keep them safe.

“Fuck,” I breathe out, hating how much it hurts. How attached I’ve gotten to these people when I never really meant to.

And Jamie…

---