ia's

many times I come here, it always felt the same: cold, and sterile, as though time stood still inside these

, I paused for a second, taking a deep

body lying on the bed hitting me like it always did. Machines beeped softly in

ile even though I knew she couldn't

ke I always did, my eyes scanning her face

some good news this time... the bills are finally getting paid." My voice cr

e. Some days I convinced myself she could, that there was still some pa

llowing the knot in my throat. "I've started

scribe Christopher. I wasn't even

eaning forward and resting my forehead against the

ed my eyes, taking a deep breath. This was my life now, talking to

*

tophe

linking of glasses and the hum of conversation. Family gatherings had al

ir laughter infectious, their energy endearing. I felt a tug

" she demanded, her hands alre

et lost in the simplicity of it. Family. Laughter. It was a welcome distraction from the constant rou

t nearby, his eyes following me with quiet amusement. He was a man of few words, but his prese

ed along, my thoug

My new o

n the way she moved around the office, the way she kept her head down, burying herself in work. She was probably trying to convince h

ter and I know

ways

de, but eventually, she'd have to face me. Face the desire. The tension b

her, I smirked, playing along. But in the back of my

*

ia's

e smell of coffee and pastries filling the air around us. Seeing her again after so lo

her soft smile and warm, comforting presence. She hadn't changed a bit, st

nce we last hung out," Jennifer said, s

a lot," I said, trying

ng more beneath the surface. "What's goin

be Christopher without telling her too much? How could I explain th

ss," I said, finall

, leaning forwar

g my head. "You d

Christopher wasn't just intense, he was consuming. His presence lingered aroun

, that I had misunderstood the intent behin

derstanding. He ha

*

tophe

ghost, her eyes downcast, her body stiff with tension. She thought she could outrun what

u

harp and deliberate. She was throwing herself into work, trying to

ialling her extension, m

ring, her voice soft but

I said, my voice sm

heartbeat through the phone. She was hesitati

" she fina

as trying to resist, but it was only a ma