Page 240 of Hooking Up

---

Chapter Forty-One

Walker

Iwake up empty.

She's still burnt into my brain.

No, it's worse. My sheets smell like her. I can still taste her on my lips, feel her under me, hear her groaning my name.

I still want to wipe away every bit of pain in her eyes.

I still need her like I need oxygen.

My morning routine does nothing to wipe Iris from my brain. There's coffee in the carafe, my favorite French Roast.

The present is there, on the counter.

There's a note under it.

The ball's in your court. Call me if you want to talk. Or "not talk."

I don't know how to sign this,

Iris.

It's rambling, nervous, perfect.

I stare at the shiny silver bag for a long time. Eventually, I pick out the tissue paper.

It's a signed copy ofSaga.

I hate that it's perfect.

I hate that I want to call her and beg her to come over.

Stay in my bed all day. Let's forget the world. Let's forget everything.

Just be here.

Just be mine.

* * *

There.

Almost.

I finish the last line. "You're done."

The girl in the chair sighs with relief.

I turn the gun off. Set it down. Wipe my brow. This is where I say something encouraging. Congratulate her on making it through her first tattoo. Congratulate her on how awesome it looks.

It looks fucking amazing.

But that does nothing to convince me to smile.

"Here." I turn her toward the mirror.

---