Page 49 of Chasing Hope

Slipping inside her room, I whisper, “The sun is shining today. Do you want to go for a run through the park?”

“No.”

My heart falls, worry filling my body like never before.

I know my Dove is in there somewhere. The girl I have loved since I was a little boy is in there. She has to be.

I can’t handle a reality in which she isn’t.

Chapter 15

Matteo

Three days Later

Icrack open the door to find it’s still dark. “I bought you coffee from your favorite café. Do you want a sip?”

Her voice cracks, as broken as her heart no doubt. “I don’t feel like it. Sorry.”

“Come on, Dove, you have to eat and drink.” I’m begging, I can hear it in my voice, but still, it gets me nowhere.

“I don’t think I can.”

Chapter 16

Matteo

Four days Later

“Dove?”

“Hm?”

“The girls called inviting you to Totti’s. Are you up for it?”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “No.”

Another splinter pierces my heart.

Chapter 17

Matteo

Five Days Later

Tap, tap, tap.

“I have a surprise.” Walking in gently, I place a box with running shoes, sunglasses, a Garmin watch, and a running belt inside beside her. “For when you’re ready to run again,” I say softly, as if she’s a startled animal I’m trying to coax out of hiding.

She’s quiet for a moment, peeking over the duvet at everything. Evie clears her throat before whispering, “Thank you, Matteo.”

My heart lodges in my throat before dropping to the pit of my stomach. “Valenti.”

“Hm?”

“You call me Valenti.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”