Page 80 of Dare To Live

Retrieving it from my bag, I’m relieved to see it’s a different name on the screen.

“Hey, Miles.”

“Good morning. What are you up to?”

I switch the call over to speakerphone and drop the cell on the mattress so I can put on my bra. “Packing.”

“Wait, what? But you have another day here.”

“I need to go home.”

There’s a pause before he speaks again. “What’s happened?”

“I had sex with Eli last night.” The words come out in a rush.

“You and Eli hooked up?”

I struggle into my sweater and tug it down over my breasts. “Yes.”

“And now you’re running away?”

“I am not.”

“Sounds like you are to me. What did he do to make you want to flee?”

I pick up my black dress, panties, and shoes and dump them in my suitcase. “He asked me out to dinner with you and Ivan tonight.”

“Truly scandalous. How dare he ask you out to dinner.” Miles gasps, then his voice returns to a more normal tone. “I think you’re overthinking things. Bella. Stop what you’re doing and take a nice deep breath for me.”

I breathe through my nose and release it through my mouth.

“Again.”

I scowl down at my cell. “Miles—”

“Did you enjoy the sex?”

“Yes, but that’s not the point.”

“You got scared.”

My heart jolts at the truth in his words. “It was supposed to be one night, and then Eli said he wanted more.”

“And this is a bad thing? Why?”

I gnaw on my lower lip until it stings. “Because … I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Alright … Repeat after me. I am not going to run away.”

I don’t reply.

“I can’t hear you.” Miles singsongs.

“I … I am not going to run away.”.

“I am going to dinner with Eli and my best friend in the entire world.”

“My ex-best friend.”

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