The Girl They Forgot to Love novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Say Please

My mother called me at six the next morning, and I knew from her breathing that something was wrong.

"There's a paper on my door," she said.

I was in the clinic break room with a coffee. I sat down on the edge of a plastic chair.

"What does it say?"

"Brannigan Properties. Thirty days to vacate, for renovation." She tried to laugh. "Lizzie, I've lived here two years. Nobody has touched that building."

"Read me the name at the bottom."

She read it.

It was Rowan's signature, on Brannigan Group letterhead.

My phone buzzed against my ear before I could answer. A text from an unknown number.

I heard your mother's having a hard morning. One phone call from you and I'll withdraw it. Just say please, Rowan. You used to be so good at it.

I put the phone face down on the table.

I wanted to throw it against the wall. I wanted, for one second, to type the word, because he had known exactly where to press.

Please, Rowan.

I had said it at five, in a dark hallway, with a glass of red water in my hands.

I did not type it.

At noon, Anthony called. I let it ring twice before I answered.

"I heard about the building," he said.

"Everyone's heard about the building."

"I can buy it by tonight. Vanderveer Capital can have the lease torn up before he sends anyone out there."

"No."

"Lizzie, he's doing this to make you ask someone. It doesn't have to be him."

"I know what he's doing."

"Then let me."

I closed my eyes.

"You'd be holding a door for me again," I said. "I'd walk through it, and I'd never know whether I did it or you did."

There was a long silence on the line.

"That's not fair," he said quietly.

"It isn't. I'm not saying it's fair." I took a breath. "I'm saying I'm going to do one thing in my life without somebody paid to watch."

← Chapter 15 · All chapters · Chapter 17 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend