Chapter 18

When I returned home to my apartment, I couldn’t bear to stay there. Seeing Lochlann’s particular brand of tea on my counter, his toothbrush in my bathroom, even the faded scent of him on one of my pillows, was painful.

Grabbing my things, I headed straight to my old place, hoping that Naoko wouldn’t mind the sudden intrusion.

Isn’t it kind of cowardly to sneak out without trying to speak with him one more time? my more logical side argued.

I wasn’t in the mood to try to talk to him like a mature adult. If he thought I was some stupid child, then I’d prove him right. I was apparently much too dense to understand all the complex ideas rolling around in his brilliant, manly mind.

I grabbed the key I’d meant to return to Naoko, just in case she was out. I texted her right before I left, but as I drove over to her place, I hadn’t yet gotten a response.

When I arrived at Naoko’s, I knocked. Then knocked a second time. When no one answered, I unlocked the door and found my former roomma