Leighton
After I get off work Friday, I run until my legs are aching. I get home. Shower. Grab street tacos from my favorite truck. Eat them at my desk.
This is design round three. There are little things that need changing, but it’s nearly done. It’s a few tweaks from perfection.
And the client is happy.
It feels good, creating something out of nothing, meeting a challenge.
My hands move by instinct. I reach for my cell. Tap a text to Ryan.
Leighton: I finished my first design. What do you think?
But we aren’t talking.
I… I’m not talking to him.
I’m running from my feelings again.
I delete the text. Consider calling Iris. But that also means facing my feels. Putting them into words. Figuring this out.
I will do that.
Eventually.
I turn off my cell and drag myself to the couch—it’s too far from the window and its amazing breeze. But there’s nothing I want to watch.
Streaming bad TV is no fun alone.
Romantic comedies are salt in the wound.
I settle on a juicy thriller, but it’s not the same without Ryan here.
I used to spend all my free time watching movies and TV. But now it feels like I need him here to enjoy pulpy twists and turns.
Maybe I just need him.
I fall asleep on the couch. Wake up to two more requests for covers.
After a run and a shower and a cereal breakfast, I pour myself into work. And I don’t stop until I absolutely have to get ready for Penny’s party.
I have to face my feelings.
I have to fix this with Ryan.
I have to tell him.
But, fuck, I have no idea how to do that.
Chapter 24
Ryan
Moonlight bounces off purple hair as she steps onto the concrete.
She looks fucking perfect with her fancy updo and her soft makeup. It’s not a Leighton I see often, a formal version of the punk rock princess.
She’s as beautiful as always.