uietly, I've seen James with other girls

a f

use of sex, Tina added. He's a cheater. I can't imagin

d into the kitchen,

ars st

ina said sud

as cheating o

led, I'd hear a woman's voice in the background

art dr

? Am I not be

her reflection

r skin, full lips, a delicate fra

ssed de

ith kindness even thos

wasn't

ouse, hiding the pain from her parents. Sh

*

onth

ring blankly at the ceil

i

ll

Tina's voice

na replied,

20 minutes. We're taking y

nna blink

dea. Just say

tired smile.

in a simple elbow length gown and hold

g me out, sh

ed as Tina and her hus

red coffee and pizza, and settled into ca

e was

aster than it should. The man across the café had been

yet pulled it like gravity. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a crisp navy suit that look

unsettled her most deep

noticed Tina,

standing up so fast her chair scr

ed. But we

ag. She didn't wait for more questions. Sh

eet, she couldn't help but

followi

path beside a flower shop until she finally lost him. Breathing heavily, she spott

, a voice sa

her head up-

ream, but his hand was

etty. I'm not go

elt her relax even slightly, he slowly remov

Ethan. Et

echoed like a secret. She

ing her hesitat

said quietl

Suits you. His

n't look away. Yo

Flattery didn't wo

head. Let me gu

ed. Why do

h. Because you look like someone who

t, silence stretched between

umber? he asked,

ately. I'm sorry. I

her. He just smiled, as if

Anna John. But I

k away, his eyes c

dn't lo

her

questions her mind w

mber... no matter

h, unmoving, lost in though

gi

n

et fierce. She wasn't like the others. She didn

was all he co

his sleek black car. Just as he o

his coffee. Or the food

ckle escap

forget eve

ngine right away. His fingers tapped the steering whe

na John, he murmured to himsel

o women runni

t

und the one

***

vement, each step grounding her in reality again. She didn't sto

Dust lingered in the corners, and the display lights f

si

pride. Her sanctuar

s, but to build something of her own. Her father had supported her dream and helped set up the boutique, whi

the glass top gently, and whispered, You

t, but she held

this

pen' and turned the music on low. I

bout the man with piercing ey