ANMELDENGreg takes a breath, visibly trying to remain patient. “I was trying to protect you.” “There it is,” I mutter. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “You deciding what’s best for everybody.” Greg stares at me. “You think I wanted to do this?” “I think you crossed a line.” His expression darkens slig
JenI wake with a start, disoriented by the unfamiliar brightness pouring through the curtains. For a moment, I just blink up at the ceiling, my body heavy and sore, my mind foggy from restless sleep. My ribs are aching. My shoulder is throbbing from where the bruises still stain my skin. Every move
“But—” “I’m here.” I gently press her hand against my chest so she can physically feel my heartbeat beneath my shirt. “I’m alive.” Jen’s breathing hitches. “I’m safe,” I continue quietly. “And most importantly—you’re safe too.” Her eyes squeeze shut briefly as another tear slips free. I wipe it awa
I don’t remember falling asleep. One moment, I had been wiping down the kitchen counters after cleaning up the remains of the little welcome home party, and the next, I am lying beside Jen in the dark, exhaustion dragging me under harder than I had expected. The apartment is silent except for the di
Robin points dramatically toward the banner. “We decorated.” “And by decorated,” Wren corrects, “we mean fought with tape for forty minutes.” Jen’s hand flies up to cover her mouth as she laughed carefully to avoid hurting her jaw. I look at her quietly. The smile on her face is genuine. Not forced
The hospital discharge papers are sitting folded neatly in my hand as I walk slowly beside Jen through the corridor. Days. It has taken days before the doctors were finally satisfied enough to let her go home. Even now, I can see the exhaustion written all over her face. The bruising along her jaw
Aboard the plane, I head toward the seat I assigned myself when a flight attendant stops me. “Excuse me, Miss. Your seat is this way. “They upgraded you to First Class.” Excuse me? They couldn’t have upgraded me. Could they?“You must be mistaken. I neither paid for First Class nor received informat
“I’m good, thanks.” I turn to walk away, but Greg stops me by grabbing hold of my arm, pulling me back toward him. “You still reading those smutty books that get you so turned on you become ravenous?” Blushing vigorously, I turn quickly and power walk back to duty-free.I can’t believe he remembers
“Jen, I know you’re crying. There’s no need to hide it from me. I am feeling the same pain and hurt you are. I hate the pain I caused you all those years ago. There’s nothing more I can do than apologize; that’s all I can offer until I can remember why I did what I did.”“Just drop it, Greg. It’s al
JenGarrett and I arrive at the party which looks to be in full swing. The DJ is playing ‘Dead Man’s Party’ by Oingo Boingo as we walked through the door seeing a crowd of people dancing away to this old 80’s classic. Garrett takes hold of my hand and lean into say something into my ear, “Care to da







