New Papi Energy, Exhibit A

Present.

I woke up with a weight in my head, like someone had yanked me out of a dream I’d been stuck in for too long.

The ocean and salty Capri wind still clung to my eyelashes. I could almost smell the sea, even though all I was surrounded by now was expensive antiseptic and freshly changed hospital linen.

Dante must’ve gone home. A few hours ago, he was still sitting in the chair by the balcony, saying goodbye with that tired look on his face. I didn’t remember falling asleep.

Just that Ash had finished lunch, swallowed his medicine with a dramatic grimace, then slid down into his pillow like a deflated dinosaur toy. I’d curled up at the edge of the sofa, planning to close my eyes for a minute.

One minute turned into long enough to fall back eight years.

The dream was sharp. The night on the Romano yacht. Chandeliers glittering above the ballroom. My dress too tight around the waist. Zane’s hand on my back as the music slowed.

I still remembered how I swore I wouldn’t give in to th