Page 95 of Toxic

He shakes his head. "No."

"Ummm...do you think you can get Sean on the phone?"

Dante swallows hard. "I know this is hard, but give him a night to decompress. I'll tell him you'll let him box."

I scrunch my face then nod again. "Will you text Killian once you've told Sean? He said he'd call him after."

"Consider it done."

"Thank you."

"Bridge—"

"I'm sorry about what I said. I-I just don't know how to get through the past sometimes, you know?"

He nods. "Yeah. It doesn't help I was a dickhead—"

"I'm not talking about you," I blurt out, then feel my cheeks get hot.

His jaw clenches. "I'm not trying to replace anyone, Bridge. I just want you and me. I wantus."

"I'm not really sure who I even am anymore. And I don't know why you'd want me," I admit.

A tiny smile forms on his lips. "You're the girl I've always wanted. The one I foolishly threw out and didn't know how to get over. And you're the one I'm going to hold on to this time."

I sniffle hard. "Am I still her? I don't feel like her anymore."

"Yeah, dolcezza. You're her. You've always been and will always be."

I stay quiet, unsure how that can be true but void of the energy to argue anymore tonight.

"Get some sleep. Tomorrow's a new day," he instructs.

"Okay. Thank you," I repeat for the hundredth time.

"Since you insist on thanking me, you can do it again in person." He winks.

I laugh.

"Go to sleep. There's nothing left for you to do tonight. I'll take care of this." His lips form a kiss, and he hangs up.

I rise, rewash my face, then put on a pair of pajamas. I go down the hall to Fiona's room and knock. She doesn't answer, so I open the door and stick my head inside.

She's on her bed, with homework all around her and her headphones in her ears.

I walk in. She looks up then removes her earphones. I sit on the edge of the mattress and ask, "Hey, sweetie. How was your day?"

She shrugs. In a neutral tone, she responds, "Fine. Nothing exciting."

I smile then glance at the books on her bed. "What are you studying?"

"History. I have an exam tomorrow. Is there something you need?"

I take a deep breath, wishing I could change things between us but still clueless about how I can. "No. I just wanted to see you."

She shifts on the mattress, blinks hard, then proclaims, "I should get back to studying."

I slowly rise. "Sure. Did you eat dinner?"

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