Page 57 of My Heart to Find

“Late?” he squints at me. “Why you all dressed up like that?”

He looks me up and down—I’m in my favorite dress. It’s short and black and revealing, and I know I have a great figure. I know I look killer. Black dress. Red heels, the exact same shade as my lipstick and purse that hangs from my shoulder on a fine, delicate chain.

“You’re a liar,” Max says.

“What?” I stare at him.

“You’re not asexual—not when you’re dressed like that, obviously on the pull.”

“Hey.” My voice is sharp. “I can dress how I want. That’s none of your business and how I dress has nothing—absolutelynothing—to do with my sexuality.”

“Why else would you have your tits out?”

I glare at him. “Because this is my favorite dress and dressing like this makes me feel confident. But I don’t have to explain myself to you.” I shove past him—and manage to dig my elbow right into him. He grunts.

Good.

“Whatever!” he yells after me. “Skank!”

*

BY THE TIME I GET TOthe cinema, I’m fifteen minutes late, and on the verge of tears. Damien is leaning against the outside wall of the cinema, and he’s looking strange—kind of blank of emotion. Not like how I’ve ever seen him before. But when he sees me, his face softens into concern.

“What happened?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I mutter. I’m not going to give Max any more of my time or headspace. He doesn’t deserve to have me speak about him. “Let’s just get inside.”

“Uh...” Damien starts to say.

A few raindrops fall on my face. “Ah, just my luck,” I huff. “Rain! I haven’t even got a coat. Is the universe just out to get me?” I shake my head, and, to my horror, tears are filling my eyes. And they’re spilling over, down my face.

“Hey, what’s the matter?” Damien’s voice is still soft, but it sounds deeper now, stronger—like it can wrap around me and protect me.

“I lost my job,” I say. “The boss from hell finally fired me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Damien says, “but at least you can find somewhere better now?”

I snort. “Finding a job in this town is practically impossible.”

Damien doesn’t say anything, just stands there looking awkward—and no wonder, when his date has just turned up and started bawling her eyes out. There’s no way he’s going to kiss me now. And that just makes me want to cry more. I’ve ruined it. No way he’s going to ask for another date after this. I wouldn’t blame him.

“It’ll be okay,” he says.

“Let’s just watch the film.”

---