Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 217

More Than an Escape-1

The next day we drive so much more.

We drive through miles of cracked desert and sun bleached signs, the kind of endless

stretch that makes the road feel like it's going nowhere. But inside the car, there's music playing and I feel like I can breathe.

We're only a few miles outside Solince when Zaid pulls into a gas station off the highway. I stay in the care while he heads inside.

When he comes back, he dumps a handful of snacks in my lap. "Thought you'd want

options."

I eye the mix, spicy chips, chocolate covered almonds, a slushie with two straws.

"What, no pickles this time?" I ask, smirking. I almost grabbed it and threw it out the window yesterday when the car smell was too much.

His mouth twitches. "Didn't want you littering the highway again."

I roll my eyes.

He leans against the doorframe, holding the slushie out to me. "At least I got white cherry

this time."

I take it, my fingers brushing his."My favorite."

stop at a diner just off the square. The same kind

accustomed to.

get into an

not.

don't like it when you can tell an actor is

his head. "But

him. "Yes, but they are supposed

in his mouth. "Come on, let's go.

1/3

More Than an Escape-1

and I want to sleep. I'm tired

air's cold, dusk

there, staring at him. "It's nice talking to you like that,

He twitches.

is easier for you," I whisper. “Being near me, but not with me. This is what you wanted, right? I'm still trying to get the hang of

blinks. And then his entire face changes. "You think

of shocked by his

tight I can see the muscle twitch. "You think this, this fucking limbo that we're in, is what I

up with

I had to!" His

fisted at his sides, veins stark against his skin. I see the tension in his neck; the frustration radiating off him in waves. The tattoo behind his ear is visible,

his

shake my head.

being in denial doesn't make it