"You asked."
"Do I actually look?—"
"You look beautiful. Slightly flushed. Thoroughly ravished. But beautiful."
She takes a deep breath, examining herself critically in the mirror. "My lips are swollen."
"From kissing."
"My neck has a mark."
"From me."
"Victor, I can't go back out there looking like this."
"Why not? It's not like they don't know we're sleeping together."
"There's knowing and there's having evidence literally written on my skin."
I look at the small red mark just below her ear. It's not that obvious, but she's right—it's there.
"Your hair will cover it if you let it down."
"I can't let my hair down. I spent an hour getting it like this."
"Then wear it as a badge of honor."
"You're not funny."
"I'm a little funny."
She glares at me in the mirror, but then a grin breaks out on her pretty face.
"Okay," she says finally. “Let’s make a smart exit. I'll go first. You wait five minutes."
“Honey, I have to be honest with you?—“
"I know, I know. It's not going to fool anyone. But it makes me feel better to try."
"Fair enough."
She crosses to the door, then turns back.
"Victor?"
"Yes, sweetheart?”
"I meant what I said.” She exhales softly, peering up at me. “I love you."
My chest squeezes. “I know.” I lean over, placing a kiss by her temple. “I love you too."
"No matter what happens?"
"No matter what happens."
She nods, unlocks the door, checks the hallway, and slips out.
I wait exactly five minutes—straightening my tie, tucking in my shirt, trying to look like a CEO who hasn't just fucked his girlfriend in a semi-public location.
