Page 371 of Dark Love

Everything is fine.

You’re fine.

Just shower and get ready for work.

This weekend was one long bad and sort of good dream combined.

You’re fine. Ignoring the tremble in my hands, I do what needs to be done.

***

Vex isn’t in the bedroom when I step out.

Maybe that’s a good thing. He’s left me alone to walk away without the awkwardness of saying thank you or goodbye.

This is it. I’m never going to see him again. And even though he deserves more than thank you cookies for all he did this weekend, even a ‘thanks a trillion’ turtle cake wouldn’t be enough, I’m not going to say thank you again.

There’s no other ending to this story but to walk away quietly. I grab my own purse, leaving the half-dozen stunning purses that showed up in the devious man’s closet.

Though it was tempting to take one as a beautiful memory of the man who cared for me.

But that wouldn’t make it right.

Phone in hand, I walk out of the bedroom door, ready for whatever the day has in store for me.

“Morning.”

I practically jump out of my skin. “Vex!”

“So, it takes you a while to wake up. Breakfast will help.”

Breakfast. I can’t eat breakfast. A meal negates the slinking out. How am I going to say thank you?

How am I going to say goodbye?

I can’t do this.

I can’t do this. It’s all pretend.

Goodbyes are real.

I can’t do this. But I have to.

The man I turn to find standing in the kitchen is devastatingly handsome. “I don’t eat breakfast.”

“So, you’ve said. But I don’t think anyone should go to work without eating a little something.”

Glaring at him would be wrong. Very wrong!

“What if I sweeten the deal?”

There’s nothing that makes breakfast better. “Oh?”

“You get this—” He lifts a steaming to-go cup. “—if you eat this.” And the other hand holds a plate with something green on it.

“Are you trying to con me into eating healthy food while I’m still mostly asleep?”

“More like bribe you. Is it working?” Vex moves closer. “The healthy food is avocado toast with pastrami, blueberries, and granola.”

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