Chapter 27

 

The next morning my alarm went off, but I was already awake. My eyes were glued to the ceiling, staring blankly at the white expanse. In the time I was staring, I noticed the nail pops, small cracks in the plasterboard, and the all-consuming ache in my chest.

I slept terribly; tossing and turning, fighting nightmares and periods of insomnia.

As I lay there, I realized it was the first night in months that Lila wasn’t next to me in the bed. Her delectable cherry blossom scent and warmth filling the room. It’d been months since I’d awoken without her soft body curled into mine, our limbs entangled.

Instead the bed was cold.

No good morning kisses.

No morning sex with my goddess.

No sweet smiles from my Honeybear.

No Lila.

My Lila.

An hour later, on autopilot, I was dressed and walking to my car. I noted hers was still in her parking spot a few down from mine. In the rearview mirror the dark circles around my bloodshot eyes made them stand out; evidence of my sl