I try to match her calm, but my mind won’t stop circling back to those marks on his arm.
God.
The moment flashes behind my eyes, and I see the bruised, angry dots trailing along the inside of his left elbow. Track marks. Old ones. New ones.
My stomach tightens, the wine turning sour on my tongue. I’d told myself I wouldn’t spiral, and that I’d stay steady and rational. But I can’t stop seeing his face in that clinic room, the way he avoided my eyes and tugged his sleeve down just a little too fast afterward. It was like he was ashamed.
I stir the sauce just to keep my hands busy, pretending the steam rising from the pot is what’s making my eyes sting. Heather keeps singing in light, sweet tones, completely unaware. And for asecond, I really wish I could slip into that world with her. Because I can’t shake the fear that he’s unraveling faster than I can stop him.
I’m scared.
“Okay, remind me again,” she says, propping a hand on her hip and pulling me back from my thoughts. “Why haven’t we opened a restaurant together yet? I think we’d kill it.”
I laugh, stirring the pasta. “Because you’d spend the whole time flirting with the customers.”
Heather grins, unbothered. “Hey, charm is part of customer service. Not ashamed about that one bit.”
My phone buzzes on the counter, and I don’t even have to look to know who it is.
JUDE
On our way.
My stupid little heart skips. I try to play it off, but Heather sees the look on my face instantly.
“Oh my god,” she teases, her voice rising an octave. “You’resofucked. Honestly? I always liked you better with him. He makes you less...vanilla. No offense.”
I glare at her. “Shut the hell up. I amnotvanilla.”
“Oh, shecussedat me,” she says, taking a sip of wine. “Come on. So he disappears from your life seven years ago, breaking your heart to pieces. Then he turns up, but now, he’swildlydamaged. And of course, being you, you can’t stop yourself from trying to help him. The vanilla in you can’t stay away from the spicy mint flavor he gives off.”
I shake my head, trying not to smile. “You’re ridiculous.”
She smirks. “I’m right. And you’re a kind soul that could very well be putting yourself in a position to get hurt again. You’re smart. I know you know that.”
The oven timer dings, saving me from responding. I pull out the garlic bread, the smell filling the kitchen like warmth itself. My heart’s racing a little faster than it should. It’s just dinner. I glance back at Heather, who’s adjusting her gold necklace in the reflection of the microwave. She looksnervous, which makes me pause.
“What about you?”
“Whataboutme?” she asks quickly.
“You’reawfullydressed up for a casual dinner,” I say, feigning innocence. “Pretty skirt, lip gloss…”
Her brown eyes widen slightly, and she waves me off too fast.
I raise a brow. “Heather.”
She sighs dramatically, then laughs. “Fine. Maybe I think Micah’s kind of cute, okay?”
I can’t help but grin. “Kind of?”
“Okay, he’s fucking hella hot. Happy?” She laughs, her cheeks turning pink. “He’s sweet. Shy, but funny. And those blue eyes, Em. Like,come on.”
I laugh so hard I nearly spill the sauce. “Oh my god, you’reblushing. Haven’t seen you this dumb over a guy since Bradley.”
“Ugh, don’t mention that asshole,” she groans.
“Fine,” I throw up my hands jokingly. “But Micah is a hottie.”