Zane Alksne’s Reviews > Brooke > Status Update

All those answers seem a little inappropriate. So I say, “I want you to kiss me again. You’re good at it.

Hayden gives me a look I’ve never seen before. Like he’s in pain and about to laugh at the same time. “If I do, you’ll hate me tomorrow.”

“You have it backward. I’ll hate you tomorrow if you don’t.”

“But I’ll hate myself, and that’s who I have to live with for the rest of my life.

What do I want? I have to think about it for a moment.

I want to feel wanted and cherished and safe.

I want to find someone who won’t trade me for another.

I want to find love that is visceral and life-sustaining.

An unexpected sadness washes over me as I remember what he said. That he wanted to know me. He was opening his heart, but I couldn’t because mine is closed. Mine is bruised and wailing and grasping to stay afloat. Mine is hiding in a corner, terrified it will be discarded again.

And I don’t want it to be.

So much, I don’t want it to be.