A Sour Birthday

ZANE:

Today is the day I have been dreading, but I know it will eventually come to pass. For the past week, I have tried to hold myself together in the best possible way. It is the worst feeling ever, but being with Kiara eases it. Yet today, I will have to make the most important move that will make or mar my life. While Kiara is in the shower preparing for her birthday dinner, I run my hands along the edges of the tiny piece of argentum bullet I recovered from the incident with Yusuf.

“Is everything okay?” Kiara’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I quickly stuff the bullet in my pocket. Then I turn around to see her standing in a towel, her body still wet.

Gosh, she is breathtaking. I wish there were a way to prolong what was about to happen, but this is fate.

I know I have said it a million times today, but I cannot help myself; it is the only thing I can think of at the moment.

“Happy birthday, baby,” I say, closing the space between us as I take her lips briefly.

“Thank you,”