Page 131 of My Sweet Dollie, You Have to Love Me
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOLLIE.
I don’t breathe, looking up at him, that clown makeup makes me shrink into myself.
I can’t understand why he wears it. He never did it growing up. Is it new? Is it some kind of catharsis? Or is it to torture and terrify me?
It feels like the latter.
A tear falls from my eye, and I could almost swear the same sadness lingers in his.
I feel it in my soul, making me incapable of talking. I nod, stepping away from the table and giving him my back. Only then, when we’re not staring at each other, can I say, “Thanks.”
My phone buzzes in my hand, and I jump, almost out of my skin. Not wanting him to notice my edginess, I turn, but Ambrose and his makeup are out of sight.
It relaxes me.
Lucky relaxes me.
Lucky:
Sarcasm, of course.
I’m not going anywhere, and if I did, I’d like to steal you away and take you with me.
I was just thinking of The Moorlands.
Do you get it now?
Nervous fingers type a quick reply.
Dollancie:
Sorry, I do! Wuthering Heights.
Sarcasm goes over my head.
Lucky:
Our next buddy read.
And, cupcake, don’t be sorry.
I’ll remember that going forward.
Dollancie:
Are you settled on this pet name?
Lucky:
I prefer this one.
But it isn’t right… yet.
Too unoriginal for you.
CHAPTER 30
Dollie—present day
