46. Maddox

FORTY-SIX

"Please leave." She's back to not meeting my eyes. "Now. Please."

I shift my weight, starting to step forward.

I don't want to go.

I don't want to leave her, looking like I just broke her heart all over again.

But she's asking me to leave.

"Alright." I step back.

I'll do what she asks now, but this conversation isn't over.

I turn and take the two strides to the door.

When I pull it open, my gaze is drawn to the bookshelf right next to my shoulder.

And there, on the shelf in Hannah's bedroom, is a book with a label taped to the spine showing that it's property of the HOP U Library.

The book.

My copy of The Count of Monte Cristo that went missing after our night together.

The one she read to me, with my chin resting on her shoulder and her voice filling my mind.

I step out of Hannah's room and into the hallway.

All these years, and she kept the book.