Page 285 of No Need to Run

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For questions.

For anger.

I never planned for goodbye.

Deep down, I thought he'd choose me.

I was certain.

And now...

I lower my gaze quickly before he can see the shift.

The crack between us suddenly feels enormous.

“I understand,” I whisper, even though that’s a lie.

I don’t understand.

My voice doesn’t shake. I refuse to let it.

“I’ll go.”

Without looking at him, I hand him the keys and get out.

I walk to the end of his driveway, blinking back tears. A stubborn part of me refuses to give up that small slice of hope that he’ll run after me and ask me to stay.

But he doesn’t stop me.

Next thing I know, there’s a blur of fur crashing against my leg.

I look down to see Luna, leaning into me, purring softly.

I scoop her up, burying my face in her softness. “You’ll take care of him,” I murmur. “Right?”

Her tail flicks in agreement.

My nose is still buried in her fur when I hear his footsteps behind me. Drew’s slightly out of breath from running.

“Thanks for grabbing her. She raced out before I could stop her.”

I draw in a deep breath, taking the moment to rebuild the control slipping through my fingers.

I lift my head and turn to find him watching me.

“No problem.” I hand her to him, my heart shattering. “Take care of each other.”

My voice is steady again. Like nothing just shifted inside me.

Even though everything has.

He nods. “Of course.”

Before I burst into tears, I turn my back on him.

“Goodbye, Drew.”

I hear him whisper a goodbye behind me.

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