Unlit Star by Lindy Zart

Author:Lindy Zart [Zart, Lindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: New Adult, Romance
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

WE WALK TO MY HOUSE. It was his idea to travel this way, and I wonder if he is trying to prove to himself that he can. I realize that sometimes we are our biggest critic, and that the person we have the hardest time gaining approval from is usually ourselves. I can see the strain on Rivers' face as we get closer to our destination, but he remains close-lipped about it. If it was anyone else with him, they might not even notice the tightness around his eyes or the way he faintly winces as he moves.

But I do.

I imagine he'll always have some form of soreness or discomfort in his legs. When muscle is damaged as badly as his was¸ it never fully recovers. But at least he's walking. That's what it's all about—continuing on even when it is hard. I glance at his sharp profile, all straight lines and geometrical angles constructed to form beauty.

He notices me watching him. "What?"

"I really hope you do everything in your life that you've ever wanted to do."

A frown line forms between his eyebrows. "Why are you saying this?"

I shrug and itch a bug bite on my forearm. "Because you need to never give up, no matter how bad things get. There won't always be someone around to help you. Sometimes you have to do it all on your own. I want to make sure you remember that giving up is not an option. Not for you, not ever."

He stops walking. I want to keep moving but I know I will be going alone, so I sigh and stop as well, turning back to look at him. He's staring at me in a way that makes me uncomfortable. The longer he studies me, the more my skin heats up. He finally breaks eye contact, his face angling up as he watches a group of birds fly overhead.

"You make it sound like you won't be around for it," he finally says, not looking away from the sky.

My answer is simple and true. "I want to be. I can't say I will be—no one knows that. But I know I want to be."

Rivers looks at me, a slow, sweet smile curving his lips. "I guess that has to be good enough then."

I smile back, a charge going up the hand that he clasps with his, continuing into my arm, and pooling around my heart. Warming it, warming me.

Maple and oak trees line the sidewalk in browns and greens—tall and strong. This residential part of town is less busy than Rivers' street. That could be because most of the people are elderly and don't get out much. The air is crisp with summer; a hint of fragrant blossoms, a touch of rain to come, and everything encased in sunshine. We come to my house and I pause, wondering what his reaction will be, and then I feel bad for thinking he would ever judge me based on the place I live. That was the old Delilah thinking she knew the old Rivers.

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