I ground the heel of my palm into the ache at the center of my chest as Cole continued with his persuasion. It hurt to know Leland had shared his dream with someone else when he’d held it so close to the vest with me. I’d thought I would one day earn the details of his art-bar. From the size, to the color scheme, to the pieces he’d choose to display on its walls. Pestering him about it had become a game of mine. I used to live for the excitement of wondering if this would be the time he actually answered my questions. If this would be the time he felt safe enough to. But I hadn’t earned
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