her collar, was real too. My heart ached, a dull, h

listened to her steady breathing. I carefully pulled ou

A screenshot of Julian's

it to me. This cheap little thing

, nestled in a pile of fast-food wrappers in a car's cup hol

ne, soft and familiar. I fel

e. This one fr

could you come in tomorrow to si

leg

rms the next day, my

r favorite, The Gard

l there could cost a week's p

e alcove, sunlight streamin

ething for you." Olivia gestured to a sm

eam. The ultra-luxe version. A

s. "Even though you're a man, you need to take ca

ter at the FoodMart, hauling cargo, fixi

, Olivia. You need to save money f

s around my waist. "You're my man. Who else would I s

lost. She had always

ors, jumped from the Bay Bridge. My mother had a stroke a week later and ne

ntry club. Stood up in front of everyone. "Ethan Davies," she'd announced, her voice clea

art, bruised and battered, had finally

kiss felt like