Page 99 of Cross My Heart

“Don’t you dare leave him,” I tell him, and his eyes water, one tear trailing down his face. My back goes ramrod straight.

“I won’t.” He shakes his head. “But I need you to know that I’m sorry. That I never meant to hurt you. I know I still did, and I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I truly hope you find peace, love, and happiness.”

I sigh. “I don’t forgive you. I never will,” I say with conviction. His bottom lip wobbles, but I focus on eye contact, refusing to cave. Refusing to be weak as I’ve always been. I’m better than that now. “But I don’t want you to die.”

“I understand,” he whispers. “I don’t deserve forgiveness.”

“Damn right you don’t.” But I still smile at him. I’m free. “I wish you the best, Noah. I wish you both happiness. But I won’t be part of your lives anymore. Please never contact me again.”

“Okay,” he whispers again as if speaking any louder is impossible. “I wish you happiness too, Scar.”

“Goodbye, Noah.”

I don’t wait for him to say it back, instead, I walk away. I’ll get a coworker to draw his blood. I don’t want to be in the same room as him anymore. I said everything I needed to say. I feel good. Excited about my future.

I’m no longer stuck.

Just as I exit his room, my phone begins to vibrate in my scrubs pocket. I frown looking at the name on my screen. It’s Austin.

“Is everything okay?” I ask him, my voice shaking, expecting a fucking tragedy. It’s the only explanation as to why he’s calling.

“Everything’s fine, Scar.” His deep baritone voice washes over me, and I smile. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”

I chuckle. “That’s new.”

“I wanted to let you know I bought the bar,” he says softly, and I raise an eyebrow even though he can’t see me.

“And why are you telling me?” I ask him, and he chuckles.

“Can’t a friend call you?” he asks with amusement in his voice.

“Is that what we are?” I smirk, then notice I’m definitely flirting with him. Who even am I?

“I hope not.” This time he laughs, and the sound makes my stomach flip. Why didn’t I see it before? Why did I never notice him until now? “Let’s go out on a date.”

I laugh, and he’s quiet. “Is that a question?”

“Will you go out on a date with me, Princess?” he asks with a chuckle, and I laugh even harder.

“Princess, huh?” I jab playfully. “That’s new, too.”

“You deserve to be treated like one.”

You know what? Fuck it. “Yeah, Austin. I’ll go on a date with you.”

“Great,” he says softly. “Pick you up at seven tonight?”

“That works,” I tell him, knowing I don’t have to work tonight. It’s perfect, really.

“Oh, and Scar?”

“Yeah?” I ask. “What’s up?”

“Wear a nice dress.”

I chuckle. “Okay.”

“See you tonight.”

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