Page 18 of Start A War (Saint View Psychos)

“But…you don’t want it? I truly am sorry about all this. I can’t blame you for wanting to run far, far away right now. I understand I look like a complete crazy person—”

“You don’t. Crazy people…do not look like you. You just look sad.”

I nodded.

“I can start tomorrow. Or today, if you need to take the rest of the day off. I could stay.”

“No, please. You’re so kind to offer, but tomorrow will be fine. I’m fine.”

“People who say they’re fine generally aren’t fine.”

He had a point I couldn’t argue with. “Tomorrow is fine,” I repeated.

“Very well. Tomorrow then. It’s been very nice to meet you, Bethany-Melissa.” He held out his hand for me to shake.

I didn’t want to take his hand. After last night, I was second-guessing any contact with a man, but it would have been incredibly rude for me to ignore his offered handshake.

I put my hand in his.

His fingers squeezed around mine gently, and he pulled me in a step, so we were all up in each other’s space. With his mouth at my ear, he whispered so softly I’d later think I imagined it.

“Whoever did that to your face doesn’t deserve to breathe.”

---