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My whole body shifts, waking me up. “What’s going on?”

“Shh. You’re safe. I’m just carrying you to bed,” Max whispers.

I settle in and fall back to sleep.

Personal Business

Vex

Waking up to an empty bed gets worse every morning. Dahlia in my arms felt right. I slide up into a sitting position and stare out at the city.

We aren’t even officially a couple, and I want her to spend every night here.

There’s something wrong with my head.

I should have called her yesterday, but I didn’t want even the thought of her tainted with the rage yesterday built in me. There’s no reason to wait even a moment longer. I message her.

Vex: Morning Dahl

She probably won’t respond right away because of work.

Dahlia: Morning

Dahlia: How are you?

A smile spreads acrossmy face.

Vex: Better now that I’m talking to you.

But I’d be even better if you were beside me.

Vex: You at work?

The first thing I’m doing when she’s mine—not just in fact but also in her heart—is to get rid of that job.

Dahlia: Yeah. On break for a few minutes.

I want to hear her voice.

Vex: Are you alone?

Dahlia: Yes

Good. I dial her phone. “Morning.”

“Good morning. How are you?”

Waking up to that voice would have been better, but I settle back and picture her next to me. “Dahl, I should have called you yesterday, but something came up.”

“That’s okay. I had a long day at work and then my neighbor’s daughter showed up.”

Who wants to talk about other people’s children? “When can I see you?”

“I work all week.”

Grrr. That job needs to go. “Quit.”

“You work weekends and I work weekdays.”