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16. "Unforgettable" - French Montana ft. Swae Lee

I haven't told anyone about Lune's party. Not Aunt Lucy, not Selene, not even Lune herself. Of course, I talked about how good of a time I had, how it was nice to hang out with a group of people. But not the part of the party. I don't know how to feel about it. It could've been anyone. I know all signs point to Luke since he was the one dared to kiss someone, but then again, I barely know Lune's group of friends.

Work has been the same since the party: Luke manages his distance without coming across as an asshole, and we barely talk anyways due to how busy it is. I still help Luke with Elera's dance schedule, and each time I drop her off, he welcomes me into their home and asks if I'm hungry. Nothing seems to be different - until today. There's a car that I recognize from Lune's party in the parking lot of Carson's. Walking in, I half expect Elera to be there, but she's spending the day with one of the girls in her dance class. It's oddly quiet considering how many cars are in the parking lot. The door to the backroom is closed, and I walk around the shop, looking for Luke. Normally, I can find him within a few minutes. I make my way into the main room again, and I watch as Tamara leaves the backroom, wiping her lip to fix her lipstick. She doesn't see me as she makes her way to the parking lot, and I feel my heart drop as I watch Luke leave the backroom after a few moments. His hair is disheveled, and he runs a hand through it a couple times, trying to fix it. I can't move. I need to. It's none of my business. I'm nothing to Luke but a coworker, a mutual friend.

And then he catches sight of me.

And he stands there, his eyes wide.

And I'm standing here with the lunch he asked me to pick him up in my hands. There's a boulder in my throat. His eyes fall to the floor, biting his lip. After a deep breath, I find the courage to move. Rather, my body moves on its own. I offer him the to-go box, the most fake yet bright smile on my face. "There you are. Here's your lunch. Don't worry about paying me back for it."

"Dakota-" he starts, and I place the to-go box on the counter.

"I should probably get started on pruning the herbs." I cut him off, not wanting to hear what he has to say. I need to get away from him. I want to feel okay being angry, being hurt, being jealous, but I don't. I have no reason to be upset. I have no reason to be angry. I'm the one that stepped into everyone else's life. It's okay. Luke doesn't say anything, and I put my hair in a low ponytail before grabbing the tools I need and heading to the other side of the shop. By the time I'm by myself, my eyes are burning with tears. Maybe something happened that I don't know about, and I'm assuming something else happened. Luke wouldn't do anything in his place of work... would he? Elera isn't here after all. I would think that would be his biggest concern. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I know I can be quick to assume, but I also know I'm the type to believe what I believe until proven otherwise.

But I don't know if I want to know the truth.

❧

The window in my bedroom is open, a storm broiling outside. The wind is fierce, the rain loud. The record player is on, the music echoing through the room. I don't even know what I'm listening to anymore. I'm laying in my bed, sprawled out. Marlow is curled up in the space between my legs, sleeping. There's an ache in my chest, and I'm trying to think of something other than Tamara and Luke. It's been a week, and Luke has barely even looked at me. I haven't seen Tamara at the shop, but I don't care either way. What makes all of this worse is that Tamara is beautiful and alluring. Definitely prettier than me. I sit up, my hair falling off my shoulders. I can't think like that. It doesn't matter. I've slept with people with less of an emotional connection. It doesn't matter it doesn't matter it doesn't matter.

Both Marlow and I jump when my phone begins ringing. I don't even look at the caller ID before ignoring the call. After a few moments, the phone starts ringing again, and I answer it. "Hello?" My voice is more bitter than I intended it to be.