Alex
The hotel room was everything you'd expect from a five-star Milan property. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, marble bathroom, king-size bed with Egyptian cotton sheets. The kind of place that normally impressed clients or made dates feel special.
Maya walked in ahead of me and immediately collapsed backward onto the bed, her arms spread wide. She looked small against all that expensive bedding, like she was trying to disappear into it.
I set my bag down by the dresser and walked over to where she was lying. She had her eyes closed, her breathing slow and deliberate.
"You must be really tired," I said.
She nodded without opening her eyes, then turned onto her side, facing away from me. Her knees came up slightly, making herself smaller.
Looking at her now, everything felt different. An hour ago I'd been thinking about her as someone who was using me, someone who'd run away from her problems. Now that I knew what the issue was, I couldn't see her the same way.
I couldn
