Chapter 85

I sighed, sat in a booth at the restaurant alone. James and Jack were both gone, my time once more free, and my stomach full of food. I’d enjoyed every moment I got to spend with James, but he’d made it clear he wasn’t going to let his guard down and let me back in while I couldn’t be his alone, or at least regularly. And he was leaving.

Having just heard today that Keaton was also leaving the only city I knew of this strange modern world, I was left reeling. Lost.

I felt like yet again the rug had been pulled out from underneath my feet, even if James had never shown me any interest since my unveiling. I’d worked hard to entice the men to come to my unveiling, and then so many of them had effectively disappeared or were disappearing.

Once again I’d been reminded of all the various people who had warned me not to fall in love. Was this why? Because the men moved on and left us behind? I didn’t know the answer but I’d done my best to pull myself together and move on.

After that, I’d tri