Page 67 of Moth to a Flame

“Exactly.” Our youngest friend points a finger at her. “He knew what kind of person he was. Deep down he had to have figured out that, no matter how much he loved the breathing Frida. At one point, his true self would win over. He’d grow tired of her and leave her. That was his version of love. To keep her at all costs, tragic as it might be.”

We’re talking about the book of the month. Problem is, my heart can’t help but make the comparison to Landon.

I’m not my mother. Please remember that. Always.

Landon looked vehement and sure of himself when he said those things to me. He hasn’t hurt me so far, either, not in a way I didn’t like. Every bit of the fire inside of him nurtures instead of destroys. It fuels me instead of burning me into ashes.

What if his father got the same vibe from Landon’s mom? He loved her through everything. He loved herforeverything. He had to.

He understood the risks of being with an all-consuming, possessive, and jealous woman like her. And he took her anyway.

There are worse ways to go. Like lying on the grass of Central Park beneath a violent monster and knowing with absolute certainty that this is it. That I’m going to die.

My body didn’t die there, eventually. My soul did.

Then Landon stormed into my life and yanked it back into the world of the living.

Whatever our end will be, I’m here for it.

“Maybe he didn’t see it as tragic at all.” A strange feeling creeps up my spine as soon as I say those words. Like ice and fire rushing through me.

My heart stops, then starts beating wildly. Goosebumps race up my arms and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I look outside the window at the street. At the calm, silent, and dark street.

Time’s flown by while we’ve been in here, chatting. It has to be what, almost ten?

He could be lurking outside.

I like that idea. I like it a lot.

“What do you mean?” Rosemary asks while I check for a text from him.

“Regan?” Deidra rubs at my shoulder.

Nothing. Besides a few work-related emails, I don’t have any other notifications flashing on the screen. I guess my body just reacts to the thought of myboyfriend.

Who I’ll see later today.

The three women in the room wait for my reply.

“It’s going to sound morbid.”

“That’s what we’re here for.” Teresa’s lips twist in a wicked smirk, her free hand gesturing to herPoltergeistoversized sweater.

“Okay, so. Way I see it, his tears were happy tears. Cathartic tears.” I give each of them a meaningful look. Deidra nods. My sister and Teresa turn contemplative. “He could finally giveFrida what she begged him for, which was all of him and the peace she was addicted to. Toward the end, she was desperate for him to put her under. Then there was Brawn. He could finally have his soulmate the way he wanted to have her. He made sure their love would last forever.”

A collective sigh echoes in the room.

I feel that pang of electricity shooting through me again. Clutching at my lungs.

“I’m going to get us some more popcorn.” The empty bowl on the coffee table is the perfect excuse for me to slip outside and do a quick swipe of Teresa’s backyard. I know for a fact Landon would’ve loved the snakes there. “Can I get anyone anything from the kitchen?”

“Pop a pizza in the oven?” Rosemary grins.

“Of course.” I jump at the opportunity, excited to have an excuse to stay in the kitchen in case Landon’s there. “I’ll call Dad while it heats. He said he has recommendations for us.”

“Sounds great.”

“Scotch for me. This tea is weak as fuck.” Teresa waves her mug, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

---