rid

nergy to face another day. Sleep had not helped. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Alonso at the end of the VIP hallway, silent and watchful, as if he ha

was sharp, accusatory. "I spoke to his mother at the

eyes. "Mom, it's se

ude to him at that restaurant, walkin

stop it, firm and clear. "I am not calling him.

her anger building, like static before a storm. "You are bein

were a market and I was supposed to be grat

ter," I said. "Maybe I

and exhilarating all at once, like stepping off a cliff. For a second, the room was so quiet I could hear my own breathing

for the hospital befo

upply closet. She glanced over her shoulder, making sure no one wa

ind of

VIP room." She pulled her phone from her pocket, her eyes gleaming

tient's visitor? Hailey, that's a massive privacy viol

Come on, Astrid.

wrong, and it's dangerous. You still

're no fun," she muttered, slidi

serious. Don't do it. Whatever he is, he i

ade he

o say. Alonso's name had a strange effect in the hospital now. People lowered their voices

tened by a fraction. "Y

way. "I'm

e, and we b

icture. God, you're no fun." She turned and walked out of the supply c

e right thing. Still, the fact that protecting Alonso's privacy felt alm

hallway, his back to me, his silhouette stark against the gray afternoon light. He should have looked like any other visitor waiti

f he sensed me approac

strange pull I had felt before, a sensation that went beyond logic. My body remembered him before I allowed myself to think his name. The

heeks flushing, and hurried pas

ed him t

did

hat made

owed me all the

I walked out to the p

hood of my car, was a

tine, wrapped in dark, hea

ran down

didn't know how he knew whi

to be harmless. A dozen white blooms lying against my scra

one thin and silver, turning every windshield into a blank eye. For one ab

away without them. But my hand reached out, almost of its

Not exactly. That

rove home in silence, the scent of roses filling the car. It mixed with the m

luttered kitchen. My mother would ask questions I didn't want to answer. But for now, the house was empty, and I s

ave thrown

d stem and hated myself a litt