What should it mean?I can’t even tell if I want it to mean anything, or if I’m terrified that it does.
No.
This isn’t me. It can’t be me. I’m not… like that. I’ve never been like that. I like girls.I’m supposed to like girls.
My reflection comes back into focus.
I don’t even recognize the person staring back at me.
Why can’t I just stop thinking about it? Why can’t I stop thinking about him?
About him.Him.
I grit my teeth, gripping the edge of the sink until my knuckles turn white, trying to shake off the feeling. Julian’s my friend, and that’s all he’s ever going to be.
That’s all I can ever give him.
I’d kissed him.I’d kissed him.
His lips—Julian’slips.
It doesn’t mean anything.
It can’t mean anything.
It was just… just a mistake.
A ridiculous mistake.
I push myself away from the sink, trying to shove the thoughts down, and bury them deep where they can’t reach me. As I walk out of the bathroom, I catch a glimpse of Julian coming down the hallway, his eyes meeting mine, hopeful, maybe even confused.
But I can’t face him. Not now… not after what happened. I twist around and walk the other way. My heart pounds in my chest.Don’t look back.
Not now.
Not ever.
Every step feels heavy, like I’m not just walking away from Julian.
I’m walking away from our friendship: everything we were, every memory, every secret.
But I can’t stop.
I have to keep moving.
Even if it means losing him forever.
CHAPTER ONE
THE ATTACHMENT
Sophie
Present
“Honey, I’m home!” I say cheerfully, removing my leather riding gloves and setting my keys on the marble table next to the front door. I like the way the words echo through the empty house. It feels… satisfying. A reminder that this house is mine as much as it’s his.
Even if I still don’t know what to do with all this space.
