Page 31 of Morsel

“Why not?”

“Because I miss them,” she says.

“It never stops hurting,” I say. I think of my own dad, of my sister-in-law, of my nieces. Phoenix lost his family, too, but he’s not the only one who lost them.

“I feel like I haven’t quite learned to live with the pain.” Dolly looks up at me. “Do you have any tips?”

I laugh gently. “No, baby. I don’t have any tips.”

“Why are you being nice to me?”

“You’re mine now, Dolly.”

I don’t mean to say the words, but now that I have, I don’t bother trying to take them back. The words feel right. Everything about this feelsright.

“I’m not yours, Oscar.”

But I kiss her.

And kiss her.

And kiss her.

15

Dolly

Hours later, I’m fed, showered, and dressed in a pair of pajama pants and a soft sweatshirt that Oscar’s assistant dropped off. I step out of his bedroom and into the hallway. I hear voices, and I pause.

“Just come on out,” Oscar says. “It’s Ryan and Phoenix.”

“And Alex!”

I step around the corner to find the four of them standing in the main room.

“Um, hi,” I say.

They all stare.

Alex is someone I almost thought I’d be able to be friends with. Judging from the way she’s looking at me, though, that’s never going to happen.

“I filled them in,” Oscar says.

“Oh.”

“They know it wasn’t your idea,” he says.

“Okay.”

“We’re still pissed and think you suck.” Ryan glares at me.

“Understood.”

“Ryan!” Alex hisses.

“I’m just being honest.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “I deserve that honesty.”

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