Page 99 of Cinder & Secrets
“You would think so, but everything I write seems so juvenile. And I really need this professor to like my work if I want any hope of getting into her writing seminar this summer.”
“You’re taking a writing seminar?”
“I’mhopingto take a writing seminar. But there are only twenty spots and unless I can really impress her with this essay, there’s not a chance in hell I’m going to get in.”
“Please. You’re an incredible writer. You’ll figure it out. Of that, I’m sure.”
“I wish I shared your optimism.” I chuckle. “So, where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere is fine with me.”
“I’m kinda craving Mexican.”
“I could be down for some chips and salsa.” She rubs her stomach. “I haven’t eaten today and I’m starving.”
“Why haven’t you eaten today? It’s noon.”
“Well, I overslept this morning and then I got... Distracted.” She gives me a sly smile. “By the time I got undistracted, I had like five minutes to get dressed and get my butt out the door. As much as I love living with Kai, it’s days like today that I wish I still lived on campus. Everything is so much closer.”
“Well, you could always move back in with us next year,” I suggest, hopeful but not delusional.
“As much as I miss living with you girls...”
“You like living with Kai a whole hell of a lot better.” I grin. “Don’t worry, I get it. I would rather live with River than Maisie, but don’t tell her that.”
“How are things with my brother, anyway?” she asks as we turn, heading toward the only Mexican restaurant within walking distance, a little hole-in-the-wall place just off campus.
“Really good.” I try to contain the smile that spreads across my face, but it does me no good.
“So the long-distance thing...”
“Is challenging, but we’re making it work. Maisie has been kind enough to make herself discreet on the weekends that he comes up. He’s been staying with us instead of a hotel because...”
“Staying in a hotel nearly every weekend gets expensive.” She finishes my thought.
“Exactly.” I nod.
“But it’s been okay?”
“Better than okay. I know it’s weird because he’s your brother and all, but... God, Lyric, he really just makes me so happy. Like I never in a million years thought I would ever be this girl.”
“And what kind of girl is that?”
“The kind that is obsessed with a singular man who consumes nearly every waking thought I have.”
“It’s scary loving someone that much.”
“It is.” I realize that if anyone understands how overwhelming it can be, it’s Lyric.
“But you’re happy?”
“Very.”
“And how are you feeling... physically, I mean.”
My insides coil at the thought of what she’s asking me. While I’ve made peace with losing the baby, it still hurts when I allow myself to think about it for too long.
“I’m getting by.”
