Page 106 of Severance

“You think?”

“Yes. I think. And talk sexy.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, bye.”

As soon as she ends the call, I dial Dakota’s number.

His voice is sleepy and rough. “Hey, you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“No, it’s fine.” I hear him taking a long, deep breath and the sound of it stirs everything in me. “I need to get up anyway.”

“I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“Oh yeah?” He perks up.

“Yeah.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m a little sore,” I confess, thinking that a nice bath would probably help me feel better.

“I’m sorry, Moonchild.”

“It’s okay.”

“Can I see you tonight?” There’s longing in his voice.

“I still have to get the rest of my baking supplies from your place. Remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. Pick you up at six?”

“Six sounds good.”

The moment I end the call, a new wave of emotions floods me. They’re raw and confusing, and I believe I might be in love.

27. After

I have no idea what I’m doing anymore.

I must have still been high when I called C.J., because now, after mulling over Jess’s words and everything that Mikah said to me the other night, I feel like I’m about to sell Dakota’s memory, along with my soul, to the devil.

“Alana?” someone calls to me over the noise of the coffee shop patio.

I jerk at the sound and look away from my phone.

C.J.’s face comes into view. “May I?” He gestures at the chair across from me.

“Sure.” I nod. My eyes slide to his hands first, then inspect his pockets. It doesn’t look like he’s carrying anything, at least nothing that might be a gun. Although I already determined he’s harmless. I googled him last night after I got home. He’s written a lot of articles. Why would he want to jeopardize his career now?

“Thank you for agreeing to meet me.” C.J. sits down and his gaze lands on my face.

“Just so we’re clear,” I say quietly, picking at the corner of the napkin lying in front of me on the table. “I’m not here to talk about Dakota just yet. I want to know more about what you’re doing before I decide.”

The truth is, there’s this restless part of me that wants to spill everything, from Dakota’s favorite band to the size of his underwear, because his own brother won’t talk to me, but the rest of me understands it’s not my place.

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