30 • Real Love Is Patient

◆ LORENZIO ◆

The skies just dimmed above us. I didn't budge. I didn't want to blow a fuse in public or in front of her, so I acted like her words didn't affect me.

The truth was: my entire head felt like it was swelling and flaming red. Her teary eyes and wavering voice already made me feel like I might combust. But I knew she'd rather hide in the car than cry in front of me.

Next to the driver's side, we stood in silence until the discomfort ate up all of my resolve. Wait. So it's all my fault? It was my fault that she felt jealous of my ex?

I frowned and stopped touching her small face. I took a step backwards, then another, until my back hit the driver's window. "Because I can't keep hanging out with you without constantly reminding myself not to take you to bed and make you forget he exists."

Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but only for a second or two.

What really made her think I would sleep with her and then hook up with my ex the next day? Did she usua