Page 57 of Stay for Forever

Lyric appears in the middle of the crowd. “Settle down, everyone. There’s nothing to see here.”

The locals begin to disperse now the excitement’s over. I make certain Sage and Feather are safe before I flee the scene. I don’t bother returning to the diner. There’s nothing for me there. The last thing I need to witness is Maverick getting all loved up by his fans while he totally ignores me. No thanks.

And here I thought he’d changed. That he was going to treat me as a partner and not a plaything. Stupid me. You’d think I’d know better by now.

Where are you?

I snort at the message. Seriously? It’s been over an hour since I left the diner, and he didn’t realize I was gone until now? Way to make me feel important.

Work

I’ll be there in five minutes

Yeah, no. If I see him now, I’m going to scream and yell at him until I end up saying words I can’t take back.

I need space

The phone rings almost immediately. I hit ignore and a message pops up a few seconds later.

Space? Wasn’t it you in my arms this morning?

And wasn’t it him who totally forgot about me for over an hour while we were supposed to be having our first meal in public together?

When I don’t respond quick enough, he tries again.

You said you wanted to try with me.

That was before I realized I meant nothing to him. Not a dirty little secret my ass.

I may have jumped the gun. Please, give me space.

Fine. I’ll give you space. For now.

Thank you.

I switch off my phone and wipe my eyes. I don’t have time for crying about what a complete idiot I am. I need to care for these animals. At least, they need me.

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