<i> “Here’s my number. I almost forgot to give it to you.” </i><br />I swallow as I stare at the number. <i> Tell her. Just f*cking tell her. “Rachel...” <br />“You’ll call, right?” </i> And the small amount of hurt in her voice stabs my heart.<br />I envelop Rachel in my arms and cup her head to my chest. She smells good. Like the ocean. Like her jacket. I try to memorize the feel of her body against mine: all soft and warm and curves. The paper in her hand crinkles as she links one arm, then another around my waist. Leaning into me, she lets out a contented sigh and I close my eyes with the sound.<br />Ten seconds. I’ll keep her for ten more seconds.<br />I want to keep her.<br />Two.<br />I shouldn’t.<br />Four.<br />Maybe she can see past what I am. We don’t have to be more. We can be friends.<br />Seven.<br />I can fix this.<br />Nine.<br />I can make anything work.<br />Ten.<br /><i> “I’ll call.” </i>