Page 256 of Beautiful Collide

As I look at it, a strange sense of hope stirs in my chest.

I feel like I’m moving forward, even if it’s just an inch at a time.

The sound of footsteps startles me.

Hudson walks over, placing a kiss on my forehead like he’s done every night since I’ve taken up residence at his place.

Of course, I still have my apartment, but I stay here for appearance, or at least that’s what I tell him and myself.

“What’s this?” he asks, picking up the notebook.

I shrug, suddenly self-conscious. “Just some ideas.”

He reads it silently, his eyes scanning the page. When he looks up, there’s a small smile on his lips.

“This is good,” he says, his voice warm. “Really good.”

I nod, and my cheeks feel warm. “Yeah. I think it’s time.”

“For what?”

“To figure out who I am,” I whisper.

His smile widens, and he sets the list I made back down. “You got this.”

And for the first time, I believe him.

92

Hudson

What the hellis going on?

Why is there barking coming from my house?

The TV.

Obviously, Hex is watching something, or at least that’s what I tell myself as I walk inside.

I’m not dumb. I know it’s not that at all, because I can totally also hear Molly cooing at the same time.

Jeez, what has she got herself into this time?

Not working is one thing.

Creating lists is another.

Now this . . .

The farther I make it into the house, the more I’m one hundred percent sure it’s a dog.

The barking is way too high-pitched and chaotic to be anything else.

I’m about to step into something I’m not prepared for.

Great.

When I turn the corner, I realize how screwed I am. There, in the living room, is Josie. She’s crouched down, playing with a floppy-eared puppy.

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