MARIA POV
My hands had been clammy, my stomach twisted in knots, and every time I thought to go closer to those sliding doors, I’d picture the look on their faces. Dax’s sharp jaw clenched in silent shock. Henry’s wide eyes, the way his brows always furrowed when something shook him to the core.
So I stayed in the car Seat. Frozen.
I stared at the glowing neon sign of the pharmacy from the passenger seat of Sam’s car like it was mocking me.
No way. I wasn’t going in.
It wasn’t fear—not really. It was… paralysis. The kind that made your stomach twist and your fingers go cold. My hand was clenched so tightly around the strap of my bag that I could feel the fake leather creasing under my nails.
“Okay,” I said finally, barely above a whisper. “I can’t do it.”
Sam looked over at me w
