Chapter 211

*LORENZO* Shit. Maybe that’s the reason. “Look, I can’t keep you here if you want to leave. Magda is moving to Canada. So where you’ll go, I don’t know. If nothing else, stay until you know where. But please don’t go. Stay. With me.” She can’t run...she can’t. Forgive me! Please. I hold my breath. Waiting. It’s excruciating. I’m the defendant in the dock waiting for the verdict. She turns her tearstained face to me. “You are not ashamed of me?” Ashamed? No! I can bear it no longer. I skim the back of my index finger across her cheek, capturing a tear. “No. No. Of course not. I...I...I’ve fallen in love with you.” Her lips part, and I hear her just audible gasp. Shit. Am I too late? Her eyes glisten with fresh tears, and my heart clenches with a new and intimidating sensation. Perhaps she’ll reject me. My anxiety level ratchets up several notches, and I’ve never felt as vulnerable as I do now. What’s the verdict, Danica? I open my arms, and she looks from my hands to my face. Her expres