Page 148 of Dream On, Liar

I stood there for a moment longer than necessary, almost like no part of me was ready to take my eyes off her. Afraid she’d disappear, or worse, get hurt again.

When she disappeared completely, I made my way through the service stations, grabbing the snacks I’d promised her, along with the her favourite ones, before pausing at the shop that had me visit the place itself.

Fifteen minutes later, I found her the cafe with two hot drinks in her hand. Noticing my wave, she quickly made her way to me as I ushered her into the car.

I turned the heater up the moment she climbed in, watching her shoulders ease almost immediately as the warmth filled the space.

She tucked her legs beneath herself, curling into the seat like she was trying to reclaim something soft after too much sharpness. Both hands wrapped around the cup, fingers slowly regaining colour.

“Here, I got you a latte. I actually don’t know how you take them.”

“Coffee is Coffee,” I replied easily, taking the cup from her. “I’ll take it anyway. Thanks.”

She nodded like she understood.

“Here.”

She frowned as I handed her a small bag, “What did you buy?”

“Road supplies.”

She let out a quiet laugh, the first real sound I’d heard from her since the flat. “You went slightly overboard.”

“Probably.” Reaching across the bag, I pulled out one important thing. “All essentials, though.”

A boxed phone.

She stopped completely.

The air in the car shifted. “No.”

“Yes.”

“Rihaan.”

“Your phone was smashed.”

“I can replace it.”

“You can.” She turned it over in her hands slowly, like she didn’t quite trust it to be real. “So why did you?”

I shrugged. “Because you need one, and it would probably take ages for your card to arrive. You can’t go however long you decide to stay with me in a cabin, without a phone?”

Her fingers tightened around the box.

She looked down at it for a long moment.

Then back at me.

“You got the newest one.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’ve been told.”

She stared at it again.