I felt like I was stealing her away. Robbing her of innocence, complicating her life unnecessarily just because I couldn’t say no.
“Marlon…”
But when she breathed my name against my skin. When she took me. I just… melted. For a moment… Everything made sense.
Her.
Me.
This.
Nothing else mattered. Until?—
“I love you,” she whispered against my ear again.
The words hit me mid-breath and I froze, pulling back enough to look at her. She was still holding onto me, eyes open now, searching my face like she expected something back.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice unsure.
“Nothing.” I pulled out slowly.
“Talk to me.”
“Nothing’s wrong, Rabbit. Swear,” I rushed it and she narrowed her eyes at me.
“Something’s wrong. You call me Rabbit when you're upset. But Bunny when you’re not mad at me. Why are you mad at me?”
“I’m not mad.” I set her down carefully, hands lingering at her waist for a second before dropping.
“I just…” I stepped back. “I gotta go.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah… I’m sorry, Ra—Bunny. I meant Bunny.”
Her expression shifted, but she didn’t stop me. “Okay. See you at work tomorrow.”
I paused at the door but didn’t turn around.
I just walked out.
OH, IT’S LIKE THAT?
Rory.
I knewsomething was off the second I stepped into the building.
Marlon’s officedoor was closed. Not the usual half-open, come-if-you-need-me type of closed. That shit was locked too.
I slowed my steps as I passed it, trying it anyway.Yup, locked.
I didn’t even bother knocking. I just let out a small breath and kept walking.
Oh, he’s mad-mad.
That was the only explanation that made sense.
This really was the end. SayingI love youwas that nail in the coffin.
