Chapter 7

“I don’t think I’m ready. I can’t stop thinking it must be a bit…horrifying.”

“You see it like that. Listen, Ryan. Obviously, people can see it. And it’s natural they might stiffen for a second when they notice it. But I can tell you it isn’t because of scorn or disgust. It’s because the first thing you think is that something bad happened…and you feel speechless. I mean, you feel sorry.”

I look at Charlie and feel deeply touched. I squeeze the hand she leaned on my arm and tilt my head sideways.

“Thanks, Charlie,” I whisper, smiling.

“And above all, yes, it’s true you have a scar, but there’s a guy staring at you.”

Suddenly I raise my head, surprised. “What?”

Charlene nods her head to my right and I turn, gazing around, trying to figure out who’s looking at me.

I immediately understand as soon as I see a mass of honey-blond curls. Sean. I blink and move my hand up from the table to greet him. Sean smiles and lifts his glass.