Page 8 of Terms of Exposure
But the brightness didn't last. A shadow crossed her face, dimming the spark she tried to hold onto.
"Garrett texted me last night."
I stiffened. "No. What did he say?"
"That he was sorry. That he wanted to make things right." She traced the rim of her glass with a slow drag of her fingertip, not meeting my eyes. "That he's going to therapy."
I went cold. "Please tell me you didn't respond."
A long pause.
"Candace."
"I didn't let him come over," she said quickly. "I just... I texted back. That's all."
I breathed. Didn't react the way I wanted to—which was to grab her phone and block his number myself.
"What did you say?"
"That I needed time."
The words hung between us.
I wanted to scream. To shake her. To remind her of the fading yellow and green still clinging beneath her left eye.
But I didn't.
Because I'd read enough to know that pushing too hard would only push her back toward him.
"Okay," I said carefully. "And how do you feel about that?"
She let out a hollow laugh. "Like shit, honestly. I know what he did. I know what he is. But there's this stupid part of me that keeps remembering the good stuff. The way he used to look at me. The trips we took. The way he'd hold me after a bad day."
Her voice cracked.
"And then I hate myself for missing any of it." She downed the rest of her drink, hissing. "I'm pathetic."
"No." I reached for her hand, squeezing hard. "Leaving took more strength than most people will ever have to find. You're not weak for grieving what you thought it was."
Tears slipped free before she could catch them. She swiped at them with the back of her hand, laughing bitterly.
"God, I'm a mess."
"You're allowed to be."
She sniffled, grabbing a cocktail napkin and dabbing at her mascara. "When did you get so wise?"
"Damien." I shifted on my stool. "And a lot of screaming into pillows."
A wet laugh escaped her. "Maybe I should try that."
"Stay away from my man," I warned, teasing. "Although, I will loan you my favorite scream pillow. It's incredibly absorbent."
"The pink one you keep in your closet?"
My hand flew to my chest. "How did you know about Pinky?"
She grinned. "Anyway, you get to see your man every day now. Aren't you excited?"
