Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

"I'm going to keep saying it."

She finishes her sandwich. "I'm sure you could go in circles for

hours."

I nod. I could. But I don't want to waste my time with her. I want to know more about her. To peel her open and pry her apart.

I can't have her body.

But we can be friends.

I'm capable of getting to know her without getting her clothes off. "How'd you get into tea?"

"My mom. She loved her morning ritual. She made a strong black tea every day. Waited until it was steeped just right then added a little milk, a little honey. I'd always try to get her to add more, but she'd say, 'you need balance, Chloe.'"

"She sounds like a monk."

"She was like that." She takes a long sip of her Earl Grey. Lets out a soft sigh. "It's funny. All my stories about Mom make her seem so wise and worldly. She was, but I didn't see her like that when she was here. And then… at the end…" Hurt fills her eyes.

I want to wipe it away. "How did it happen?"

"She got sick when I was eight." Her lips press together. "Breast cancer. An aggressive one. She was already stage three. She did everything. Mastectomy. Chemo. Radiation. But it wasn't enough." Her eyes turn down. Her finger glides over her cup. "It didn't seem fair, for her to go through all that only to die all the same."

"It never is."

"No, it's not." Her gaze shifts to the three-tier plate. She picks up a madeleine and dunks it in her tea. "Sorry. I'm killing the mood."

I shake my head.

"This is serious. And you're not."

"I'm a lot of things."

She brings the cookie to her lips. Takes a bite. Chews. Swallows. Crumbs fall onto her plate as she breaks off another piece. "I guess it's only been two minutes."

I arch a brow.

"That you've been serious."

I can't help but laugh. "I'm developing a tolerance. Might make it to four."

"I doubt it." She smiles, but there's a sadness to it. Those heavy memories are still weighing on her. "Your parents ever get sick?"

"Yeah. My dad. When I was a kid."

"What happened?"

"He lost a ball."

She drops the cookie. "What?"

"Testicular cancer."

"Oh." Her shoulders relax. A laugh rises up in her throat. "You… you really are ridiculous."

"You think this is ridiculous? Should have seen me at twelve. I was fucking terrified it would happen to me too."

"Really?"