Page 48 of One Last Wish

“What? You saw yourself die there?”

“No, I’m not a seer,” I chuckled, shaking my head at him. “If I tell you, promise you won’t call me crazy?”

“I already know you’re crazy.”

“I was out with Evelyn one night and her phone fell on the other side of the railings. I’d had a bit to drink, but knew what I was doing. I climbed over, trying to get it. While I was gripping the lamppost, I slipped forward and should have died falling into traffic. Something pulled me backwards and I survived.”

“Who saved you?”

“I have no idea, but my mind made me see this weird shadow-mist when I opened my eyes. It had all mostly evaporated by that point, but Isawit.”

“You really need to calm down on the fantasy books, Alora. That sounds insane. Shadows can’t save you.”

“My mind clearly thinks they can.” We were on the bridge now. I suddenly felt small and insignificant. “Do you think anyone would miss me if I disappeared?”

“Where didthatquestion come from? Suicidal thoughts are a little above my pay grade, but...”

“It’s not a suicidal thought, it’s a question I’ve had for a while. I’ve spent my life watching all these people with connections and friendships. I’m never going to have that. I’m never going to fall in love. Who would miss me if I disappeared? I have nothing to offer, so what is the point of my life? Why am I here?”

“That’s a bit pessimistic to say attwenty-four,that you’ll never fall in love.”

“If you understood my mind, you’d know why it’s easy for me to say that.”

“Have you tried to fall in love?”

“No, I can’t! That’s the point!”

“Do you even knowwhatlove feels like?” I’d read it enough in books to think that I was a bit of an expert. “And I don’t mean book romance, Alora. I’m talking about the raw, maddening love that makes your insides weak and strong all at the same time. The kind of love that you would battle timeandimmortality for. A love that makes you question your self worth. Someone that you can’t clear from your thoughts, no matter how hard you try.Thatkind of love!”

“Wow! Whoever she is, she’s a lucky lady.”

“Do you knowhowto fall in love?” He ignored my response, but my mind was reeling, wondering how it must feel to be loved by Darce when he worded it so beautifully. “It’s the little moments, Alora. The ones that catch you off guard. A smile here, the touch of a hand there, watching the way someone lights up when they’re talking about something they’re passionate about. Falling in love captures you piece by piece until, without warning, you’re drowning in them. They are the only light you see.”

“You make it sound wonderful.” I was breathless as I spoke, consumed with his words.

“It can start with a date.”

“Are you offering?” I teased. Darce rolled his eyes.

“Theo.”Ugh!

“You’ve never given him a chance, and I think it’s because you’re scared. He’s a good, decent guy that would love you the right way, and piece by piece, you might start to fall for him.”

“Theo is not my type. How many times...?”

Darce interrupted me. “One date, Alora. Prove me wrong, if you must, but aren’t you curious to see what happens when you let that guard of yours down?”

“Oh, because you always letyoursdown.”

“We aren’t talking aboutmeright now. My love life is painful. It’s not something I talk about.”

“Painful?” Shit! What had happened? Was she dead?The bitch in me was hoping she might be.

“I’mnottalking about it!” The deadly look in his eyes, I was sure, was a glimpse of the threatening face Darce had used to scare off the guys at the club. “Why don’t you take Theo to the Orchestra concert on Thursday instead of me?” I’d actually forgotten about that.

“I was looking forward to going with you.”

“I’m not an option, Alora. Please try to understand that.”

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