Once I’m outside, I gasp for air, letting the tears fall freely.
Ihatehim.
I hate them both.
The thought of telling my father what just happened crosses my mind, but as my hand reaches into my clutch and wraps around my phone, I decide against it. I debate on calling Cecilia, or Raina, but they’re both busy.
At this very moment, I feel absolutely alone.
Knowing I need to keep moving before they leave the restaurant, I briskly walk, not paying attention to which direction I’m walking or who’s around me. I let the tears fall from my eyes, blurring my vision as I keep moving. Grateful I wore flats, I just let my subconscious guide me, moving through the park.
So many things are running through my mind—the brunch on a constant loop.
My chest constricts, a heaviness sitting dead center.
It’s becoming hard to breathe.
My breaths are coming in short, rapid succession. The tightness in my chest feels like a snake wrapping around and constricting my organs.
“Miss, are you okay?”
I can’t…I can’t breathe. Everything inside my body feels like it’s getting tighter and tighter.
“Miss?”
A hand on my upper arm jolts me, and I suck in a sharp breath. The city around me never slows, and from just feet away, the horn of a car blares as it slams on its brakes.
The feeling is surreal, almost as though I’ve beendropped back into reality or woken up from a bad dream.
When I focus, I see a white-gloved man bent slightly to look at me, his eyes filled with concern, and I realize how crazy I must look.
Frantically, I wipe the tears from my eyes. “I’m okay. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Miss. I think you were having a panic attack. Are you okay? Can I call someone for you?”
“No, it’s fine, truly. Thank you. I—this is embarrassing. Where am I?” I look up at the high-rise in front of me, then up and down the street, trying to get my bearings.
“The Kenna, Miss.”
The Kenna.
I feel my eyes widen, and I take a step back to get a better look at my surroundings—at the apartment building looming above. The sun’s reflecting off every window on the building, blinding me as I marvel at the fact that my subconscious led me here.
Led me tohim.
The doorman steps away to go back to his post, but continues to watch me carefully, as though he’s not so sure I won’t go completely nuts again.
How could I have ended up outside ofhisbuilding? I’m not even sure how far Blankenship House is from The Kenna. How long did it take me to get here? Why did I even come here to begin with?
Then a new sense of panic washes over me. What ifhe comes out of his building and finds me here, lurking outside like some sort of stalker?
I need to go.Now.
I need to leave.
I need to text Ross and have him come get me.
Reaching into my clutch, I move the contents around until my fingers skim my phone.
