Chapter 26 What's The Difference Between Love And Obsession?

• I smooth Alston’s dirty blonde hair, whispering my sorries into the curls. I try not to shutter while I am in his embrace but I fail spectacularly. I can’t keep my voice steady, or my body from trembling as I pull him into my chest as if the tighter I hold him the more real he is. The more alive he is.
• “Elise,” he whimpers, his voice small and weak. His hand shakes as he brings it to my hair and smooths down the waves. “Don’t cry.” I don’t recognize the damp streaks pouring down my face until his thumb is running past them. I shook my head away from his steady hand. He shouldn’t be comforting me.
• “Elise, I’m all right,” his voice is as strong as he can make it but I shake my head, looking at him incredulously.