92

“I promise, I’m okay.”

I sniffled. “My God, I’m so glad you are.”

“Come here. I’ve got you, Rae.”

I curled into him as much as he’d let me. And as I cried silent tears against his chest, I drifted off to sleep. With his fingers stroking through my hair and his lips peppering me with kisses, I gave in to him. I gave in to his warmth. His comfort. His strength. The beating of his heart lulled me to sleep. And the beating of his heart was the first thing I heard the next morning.

Before I slipped away from his grasp to go get us some coffee.

20

Clinton

I groaned as I opened my eyes. A heavy weight felt like it was propped against me, keeping me rooted to the mattress. I reached out for Rae, expecting her to be there. Knowing damn good and well that was what I felt.

Instead, however, I felt the weight of the emptiness of the bed next to me.

“Fuck.”

I sighed, lying there on my back as I stared up at the ceiling. I wished I’d woken up sooner to say goodbye to Rae. I sighed as I lay there, m