Free Faded Perfection (Beautifully Flawed Book 2) by Cassandra Giovanni

to be misplaced. I just couldn’t shake it.
    “Have you seen Tara lately?” I blurted out. I wasn’t sure if that was out of line. I pressed my eyes shut. I was trying to think of anything else, and I landed on Tara of all things.
    Jesse breathed in through his nose. “I haven’t. You?”
    “No,” I said, looking down at the mozzarella sticks that just arrived. “I guess I’m not that great of a friend. I was going every day before she woke up, but now it’s harder. I know that probably doesn’t make sense, but she keeps forgetting what happened and why she’s at the recovery center. It’s hard to see her like that…and then to have to replay telling her Bobby’s gone over and over…”
    “Has Adam gone with you?” Jesse asked, not touching the food. I let my eyes rise to his and I shook my head. He didn’t speak for a moment, and the silence waded around us as we stared at one another. “Why don’t we go together?”
    I felt the tears pricking at the corner of my eyes as I nodded, unable to speak.
    “These look great,” Jesse said, and the conversation broke into something easier. We talked about clients, laughed about some of the ridiculous things they asked for and enjoyed one another’s company until both our plates were bare.
    “I can’t believe I ate all that,” I replied, sinking into the seat.
    “You sure you don’t want dessert?” Jesse asked, smirking at me as he signed the receipt.
    “No, but thank you for this. I needed it,” I replied as we stood and headed for the door.
    “I know,” he replied as we reached his car. He glanced over the top at me. “You ready to see Tara?”
    I let my eyes fall to the shiny red paint of the roof before looking back up. “Yeah, I think it’s about time I did.”
    “I was thinking the same thing.”
    ~~~
    I bit my lip as I stared at Tara looking out the window of her room. She looked small and frail and despite the fact her cuts and bruises were faded you could still see their outlines, reminding me of why she was here. Jesse stood beside me, shaking his head as a choking sound came from his throat. He rubbed his forehead, now deeply lined with wrinkles.
    “I don’t know how you did it,” he said, and his voice trembled.
    “Did what?” I asked.
    “Came in here right after it happened. She still looks…”
    Like death . The words faded from his lips.
    “I didn’t handle it well,” I said as my eyes drifted to where the white rose sat, now dried and brittle, exactly where Tara was staring.
    “You’re handling it well now,” Jesse replied, his eyes locking on mine.
    I inhaled, my shoulders rising as I chewed on the inside of my lip. “I guess. You’re just lucky you’re not inside my head.”
    “Why? What’s going on in there?” Jesse asked.
    My stomach tightened as I fought the tears pricking in my eyes. “I just miss my best friends. All of them…gone in one night. I can’t really talk to her about anything right now — she’s too fragile.”
    Jesse nodded. “I’m sorry you feel so alone, but I don’t want you to feel that way. We have services available–“
    I cut him off with a shake of my head. “I’ll be fine.”
    “You’re strong, River, but if you need someone to talk to–you should,” Jesse said.
    Everyone thought I was so strong, but I felt so weak. Still, I shook my head.
    “Ready to go in?” Jesse asked, placing a hand on my back.
    I nodded, and we headed into the room.
    “Hey girl,” I said, and Tara’s head moved to look at me.
    “River! You brought Jesse!” she said, putting her hands on the arm of the chair. Her face turned red, and I watched as she struggled to figure out what to do next.
    “Sure did. You can stay right there if you’re comfortable. Jesse and I will sit on the bed,” I said, and I watched as she pulled her hands into her lap. She gave me a forced smile, and I knew she was frustrated.
    “Still haven’t figured out how to walk yet,” Tara said, and her brow furrowed as