Chapter 13: Taken

Angela really did make an effort to move on with her life. For several days, she wore a rubber band around her wrist. Every time she even thought about Daniel, she pulled it back sharply and let it go. Her wrist was red and raw from the effort, and she wondered if this was an effective method after all. She was sure that her wrist would fall off after a while.

She spent a lot more time with Christian, trying to prove to him – or maybe to herself – that she was invested in their relationship. They’d been out several times over the last few weeks, and he’d even spent a few nights at her place. What was that old adage? The best way to get over someone is to get under someone.

Christian was adequate. More than adequate, he was a very attentive lover. Still, she couldn’t help but imagine Daniel’s hands, his mouth, his tongue. She’d grit her teeth to keep from saying Daniel’s name.

“Daniel’s dead,” she would remind herself in the mirror. “He’s been dead for years.”