just as the s

ng I was asleep. He was carrying a

cheesecake," he whispered,

t open

said, my voice flat. "My favorite

could feel h

st have gotten them m

orced. He came over to the

crazy. I wanted to tell everyone about us, but my parents thought we should fo

So easy

him awa

t," I

at's wrong, Sarah?

ed, his face a mask of conc

"I know I messed up by not preparing you. I'm a mess, Sarah. I'm just

me feel guilty for being upset. The classic gasl

ang of guilt and rush to comfort hi

ot an

I was mourning the man I thought he was, the l

and I had been his m

ared at the ceiling, letting his

tic sound meant to signa

t up to you,

ain, trying to loo

ust below his jawline, was

re. A tiny, vulgar brand mar

it made my

eyes, feigni

ark. I just w

a moment, then

by. Get s

left the room, closing t

my eyes snapped open.