Page 97 of Lunar Crest University

“You know about that?” I croak, and my eyes water, much to my dismay.

She takes the mug from my hands and sets it on the kitchen counter before cradling my face in her tiny hands. It’s the most comfort I’ve felt the entire trip, and my lip trembles before I bite down on it harshly to keep from breaking down. Her touch is warm, and it makes me miss my own mothersomuch.

“I know everything,mi niña.”

“He tells you?” I ask.

She nods, brushing her thumbs along my cheekbones before she releases me. “Luca has only made the decisions he has to protect the people he loves.”

A sad smile dances along my lips. “He doesn’t love me.”

“Why do you think that?”

“He lied to me.”

“To protect you, Finley.” She leans in like it’s a secret just between the two of us. “To keep you safe from the truth because it could hurt you. He cares about protecting you because he lovesyoutoo.”

Our conversation is cut short as Luca walks back inside, his hands in his pockets as his dark eyes dart between the two of us warily. My mind checks out as we’re telling everyone goodbye, only clinging to small pieces because I can’t stop thinking about Ana’s words. Ana gives me another warm hug, Emilia manages to smile at me as best as she can, and Carmen snatches my phone from my back pocket and plugs her number in. Something about a girl’s day or getting pedicures together. While I would love that, especially before, now, I just don’t know. It’s all nodding and fake smiles just to get through the interaction, to get to the car so I don’t have to hold my breath anymore and pretend I’m okay.

I don’t remember exactly how I got to the car, I just know that I jump when Luca climbs into the driver’s seat next to me and closes the door behind him. Blinking, I glance over at him to see he’s already looking at me. His glasses sit on the bridge of hisnose, and his lips twist as he chews at them from the inside. He’s annoyingly beautiful. Jesus Christ.

“She didn’t bother you too much, did she?” he asks quietly.

I frown. “Your mother? N-no, she didn’t bother me at all.”

I’m thankful when he turns his attention away from me, starting the car and getting the heat going before he pulls out of the long driveway. The trees are almost bare now that it’s mid-November, and it kind of saddens me to see the leaves scattered on the ground, dirty or wet from the rain. The season for snow is coming soon, and while I love the snow, I love the multicolored leaves so much more.

“You’re quiet.”

I snap out of my spiraling mind once more. “I’m just thinking, I guess.”

“What is it?” he urges, and I can hear the pleading tone in his voice.

“Something your mom said to me.”

He curses under his breath. “What did she say,Princesa? I’m sorry. She can be intrusive sometim?—”

“She said you love me.”

I stare out of the windshield, not even flinching at how loud the silence is after the words leave my mouth. In fact, I don’t think I can feel anything at this point. I’m numb. I’m tired of crying, I’m tired of feeling sad, and I’m tired of allowing him to break me. Why am I giving him the opportunity to make me feel like this? Because I love him?

Well, it’s just not enough.

I can’t keep feeling this way.

“That upsets you.” It’s a statement.

“No,” I rasp. “I’m not upset.”

“Then how does it make you feel?”

I can’t keep feeling this way.

“What are you, my goddamn therapist?” I snap, jerking my head to glare at him. “I just told you that your mother said youloveme, and all you can say ishow do you feel about that?”

“Because I’m scared to talk, Finley,” he growls, gripping the steering wheel as his jaw clenches. “I’ve already fucked this up enough. I’ll say one wrong word and send you running. I don’twantto fuck this up anymore. I want to fix this.”

“And so what if I do run away?”

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