Page 388 of The First Time
I wipe my eyes. "I'll manage."
"She's staying at her house upstate."
"Oh, can I… I don't want to intrude."
"She'd love your company." His voice is steady again.
I take another deep breath. "I'll take the first train in the morning."
"I'm leaving in an hour. I'll pick you up."
My heart races. I manage a choppy breath. "Okay. Knock when you get here. Lizzy is sleeping."
"Sure."
"Thanks."
"Kat?"
"Yeah?" My stomach twists.
"It's gonna be okay."
It's not, but he's sweet to lie.
* * *
The knock is sosoft I can barely hear it. That was fast. My suitcase is only half packed. My clothes are a mess on the floor.
My head…
This is hard for me. How the hell is he holding on?
I move into the main room and pull the door open.
Blake is standing there in jeans and a navy Henley. Like this is a normal date. Like I didn't break off our engagement yesterday. Like his mom isn't dying.
His eyes find mine.
He steps inside and presses the door closed.
It's just us in here. Lizzy is in her room, but the rest of the world feels far away.
He brushes my hair behind my ear.
I lean into his touch as his fingers skim my cheek. It's soft and sweet, like he really does love me.
"You okay?" he asks.
"No."
Blake wraps his arms around me. His body is warm and hard, but there's something soft about his embrace.
He leans closer.
Rubs my shoulders with his palm.
"How the hell are you so calm?" I tug at his shirt.
