See, this is the thing.” He leans closer. “Me kissing you, you disappearing, that’s my nightmare.

I’m memorizing what takes me away. What saves me.

My lips part, wanting to tell him a story, wanting to kiss him more than I want to breathe

I close my eyes and think about the only thing that makes life worth the trials: Emma Kingsley, her sweet smile, and the laugh that make me believe in a future.

The idea that I could lose her again… it’s unbearable.

He was supposed to be the one I loved forever. But he never saw the tears stream down my face. Never knew the hurt and humiliation and anguish. He just disappeared into the night,