Page 6 of Dare To Live

Ten years ago, I thought I had everything worked out. Unfortunately, my twenty-year plan isn’t going the way I hoped. The dream I had about becoming a fashion designer and traveling the world became tarnished and jaded over time. It’s not how I expected it to be. I know it’s also not helped by the trauma I lived through, which means I don’t even like to leave my house if I don’t have to.

“I don’t know why you put up with him. You’re way more talented than he is.”

I shrug. “He’s the big name. Not me.”

Grace, the designer at the next table beside me, pulls a face. “He’s an asshole.”

I smile, but don’t reply. It’s almost lunchtime, and all I want to do is escape the building for an hour. Casting a tired look at the cloth around me, I sigh and stand. Why wait for another ten minutes, I might as well take my break now.

“I’m going to grab a bite to eat.”

“I’ll come with you.” Grace’s voice is friendly and cheerful.

I’ve not made any overtures of friendship toward the other woman, but she hasn’t taken the hint that I’m not looking for a friend. She snatches up her purse and follows me.

When we reach the elevators in the hallway, she jabs the button. “There’s a new sushi bar we could try if you like? Or there’s a Mexican restaurant just down the block. I also know a little Italian place.”

My gaze remains fixed on the changing numbers on the screen. “I just want a sandwich and a coffee.”

The doors woosh open, and we both step inside, and I push the button for the ground floor. I’m thankful when she doesn’t start chatting. Shoving my hands in the pockets of my jacket, I stare ahead, watching the floor numbers count down, and ignore her. The last thing I want is company. I’m tired and irritable. Dreams of a dark-haired, green-eyed boy with tattoos, piercings, and a bad attitude, have plagued me for the last few days.

I haven’t seen Eli in five years, and although my mom talks about him from time to time, I’m not in his life anymore. His father left me an allowance when he died, giving me the funds to buy my own apartment, and my dreams of fashion design fame. But ever since the recent gallery showing, I can’t get him out of my mind.

I can almost pinpoint when things started to go wrong for us. My thoughts tumble back in time.

“Ari, where are you going?”

I stiffen and turn at Eli’s voice. “Out.”

He’s standing on the stairs, staring at me, eyes intense. “Who with?”

“Garrett.”

“Where?”

Swallowing hard, I tear my attention from the frown on his face. “Why do you need to know?”

He descends the steps, and moves in front of me, blocking my way to the front door. “I’m your boyfriend.”

I cross my arms. “And?”

“Let me grab my keys, and I’ll come with you.”

“No.”

That one word stops him in his tracks, and he turns back to me. “What do you mean no?”

I take a deep breath as my heart thumps painfully in my chest. “Eli, you’re smothering me.”

“Smothering you? What the fuck does that mean?”

“You’re making me feel like a prisoner. You constantly need to know where I am, who I am with, what I’m doing.”

Tension creeps between us.

Eli tilts his head. “I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

The door slides open, breaking the memory. I’d been eighteen, foolishly naïve and desperately in love with my Nasty Little Monster.

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