Read Love Always, Damian for Free Online Page A

somewhere.”
    “Yep. I’m studying marine biology down there.”
    “Impressive.”
    “How about you?” I say, making small talk.
    “Pre-med, same as Damian.”
    Well, that’s interesting.
    “Damian’s doing pre-med, huh?”
    “Yeah, some sort of compromise he had with the doctor. Three years later, he’s never bothered to switch to anything else.”
    “Three years? He’s not a senior?”
    “Nah.” Dylan shakes his head. “After Kate died, he didn’t do much. Months later, his dad convinced him to enroll fall semester. Dr. Lowell bought this house and asked if I’d room with him. Not a bad offer.”
    “Not at all,” I agree, and as I say it, someone steps out of the hallway, but it’s not Damian.
    I shouldn’t care. Really, I shouldn’t. I have no right to care. So, why can’t I breathe at the sight of her doing an obvious walk of shame?
    Booze. Girls. Nothing has changed with him.
    I make up my mind then and there. I’m not telling him. I’m not going to Australia.
    The girl, who is barely able to hold herself up, is a tiny thing, probably only a freshman or sophomore. Not legally old enough to be as hung over as I can tell she is. Her hair is a ratted mess, half in a ponytail, half strung out everywhere else. And last night’s party clothes are scarcely covering her frame. Her top is on inside out, the zipper of her skirt off-center, and she’s carrying her underwear instead of wearing them.
    That’s fantastic.
    I glance away when I see the embarrassment flash across her face, her cheeks reddening as she takes in her audience. Quietly, I clear my throat and stare in front of me, wishing I’d stayed home like my gut told me to.
    The sound of Damian’s voice reaches low into my abdomen, and I hate how it still has that sort of power over me.
    “I’ll be right back, Elle,” he says softly from the hallway.
    I feel his gaze pinned on me, but I don’t meet it. Instead, I force a smile and nod. “That’s fine.”
    “No, dude,” Dylan says, standing. “I’ll take her home. Elizabeth came to talk with you, so you should do that.”
    From the corner of my eye, I see Dylan help the girl as she wobbles into the kitchen. Damian has no idea how I feel about him, and especially after what I just witnessed, I really need to pull myself together and pretend his behavior doesn’t bother me. Because it shouldn’t. Because I shouldn’t still be in love him.
    He walks around the furniture, and his socks come into my line of sight. “Sorry about that. I overslept.”
    I gather my strength and lift my head. “No problem. It’s”—I swallow—“good to see you.”
    Too good. Damn, if it’s possible, he’s more attractive now than when I last saw him. Not as skinny and more…sturdy, I guess. Like he’s spent more time in the gym or playing basketball, which he used to do a lot before he gave that up too.
    But what really catches me are those sapphire eyes of his, darker than mine and oh so powerful. I’m glad he doesn’t know I see those beautiful blue irises every single day, and maybe that’s part of the reason I can’t get him out of my head.
    “It’s good to see you too, Elle.”
    Damn my heart.
    I inhale, the air not fully filling my lungs. I can’t let him do this to me. Not when this will be the last time I ever see him. I’m leaving to go home to Florida tomorrow, and I’m not looking back. Out of sight, out of mind…sort of. As much as it can be.
    “You hungry? I thought we could grab some breakfast somewhere,” I suggest. No way can I stay here, on his turf. At this point, I want to eat, say goodbye, and forget I even considered asking him for this favor.
    “Famished,” he replies. “There’s a little diner down the street that serves the best sausage gravy. Almost better than my mom’s.”
    His mention of Nora like that makes me smile. Maybe he’s at least moved into a better place with regard to her death.
    “Sounds promising,” I say.
    I’m not hungry, but if I