Page 3 of Mark My Words

Her eyes faltered, her heart picking up speed as his baritone slipped through her vertebrae.

“I miss you, too.”

“Soon enough, we’ll be together again.”

“How?”

“My tour ends this fall. I’m stepping away from the military and enrolling at Morehouse. I’ll be closer to you, and we can see each other whenever we want.”

Destiny’s heart warmed. She wanted that more than anything. But…

“You shouldn’t be so quick to give up on your dreams.”

“You are my dreams.”

More knocking from her heart.

“That’s sweet, but maybe you should focus on your career.”

The line became quiet.

“Destiny, what’s going on?”

Her breath caught in her throat. More silence.

“Destiny?”

“We should take a break for a while.”

The activity behind her breasts filled her with anxiety.

“A break?”

“Yes.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I’m just saying I think, I mean, I don’t want you to be distracted by me.”

“Where did you get the idea that you could ever be a distraction?”

“I…”

“Baby, I love you. Please don’t talk like this.”

Destiny’s throat clogged, and she shut her eyes tight.

“I’m sorry.” It was a whisper, but for Malik, it was a stab to his heart.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

She heard the quiver in his baritone and couldn’t respond for a full minute.

“It’s for the best.”

“Destiny.”

“I’ve gotta go.”

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