Page 34 of Dark Love

“Dahlia, are you okay?”

No. I’m not okay. If this is real, I’m not sure I ever will be. “Fine.”

“But you’re shaking. I’m going to call Barb.”

“Shaking?” It’s only then that the tremors going through me register. “Don’t call Barb.”

“Why? Something is obviously wrong.”

With my head, not my body. “It’s fear. While you were gone all I could think about was…”

“Oh.” Vex slides the phone back into his pocket. He hands over a small bottle of water and sets a glass down on the end table. “Would you like me to crack that open for you?”

“Yeah, thanks.” I hold it out for him to open. He could have just brought me a gla—Vex gave me a sealed bottle on purpose.

Some of the fear in me abates.

It was such a small gesture, but it had such a significant impact on me. I take the now-open bottle from him and enjoy a sip of it before setting it on the nightstand.

He pulls the chair he was sitting in closer to the bed and sets the bowl of popcorn between us. In one smooth motion, he pops a handful into his mouth.

If I had tried that, half of it would have ended up on his bed.

The trembling fades away to a flutter in my stomach that combines with the slight nausea still lingering.

Food. Though there’s no clock in this room, it’s got to be well in the afternoon. What was the last meal I ate? A single brownie at lunch was all I was able to nab before the hungry masses descended on them.

Why didn’t I go to dinner with Adonis’ group? Next time… Will there be a next time? Maybe I shouldn’t have even moved to Urbium. My hometown was safe. Things like this don’t happen there.

Why did I decide to expand my horizons and see more of the world?

Because you can’t imagine life, you need to live it.

My stomach growls.

Eat first. Worry about the rest of your life later… like when you aren’t in the bed of a man you barely know.

Cautiously, I take a single kernel of popcorn to make sure my stomach won’t rebel. “What is this? There’s no butter flavor. You eat the healthy stuff!”

“You make that sound like it’s a sin.” The corner of his lips gets decidedly higher.

“Popcorn without butter is a sin. It should be criminal to make it this way.”

“It’s healthier for you.”

Healthier!?! This man is worried about healthy food—to be fair, he clearly works out and takes care of himself—but I’ve just been drugged, who cares about being healthy? “I need comfort food. And popcorn that tastes like Styrofoam isn’t comforting at all.”

“Do you want me to order you some popcorn with butter?”

Absolutely. “No. This is fine. But really, you should try some of the good stuff. It’s worth it, hardened arteries and all. Don’t tell me that all you eat are protein shakes, chicken breast, and vegetables. Fine, you’re smoking hot and all, but is it really worth not eating hamburgers and steaks? I think not.”

“Are you always this passionate about food?”

I shrug. “Mostly.” I eat some more Styrofoam... popcorn. It’s certainly not the worst thing I’ve had.

We both turn back to the game. Even though I really want to watch, my eyes get heavier and heavier…

You’ve Been There How Long?

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