My fists uncurl and my fingers rake into my hair, tugging at the strands. I think back to this morning, how beautiful Lana looked after waking up unreasonably early for no reason. She said I needed a haircut, and she might be right. It’s a tiny bit longer, longer than I like it.
I scratch at the thicker stubble around my jaw and itch to shave it all off.Everything.Fuck.
I say her name in my head nearly a hundred times. I picture her smile and the pair of dimples it comes with.
My phone rings in my pocket and I sigh, relieved, taking it out.
Lana Aurora
I answer immediately. “Lana..”
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
Breathless with a shaky hand, I say, “Nothing, why?”
“I— I don’t know,” she says, unconvinced. “Just got…a feeling. Are you sure you’re okay?”
A feeling.That’s the best part about having a soulmate like this, I think—justknowingbecause that tether that keeps you tied together, no matter how far apart, is like a string between two cans. It echoes and relays everything, back and forth.
I turn away from the alcohol and continue pushing the cart down the aisle. “I’m okay,” I rasp. “Just in the supermarket. I’m almost done.”
“Okay,” Lana speaks softly, and the image of her lips saying the word floods my mind. Her soft, plump lips saying a four lettered word before she kisses me with them, killing the monsters, slaying the demons, and putting an end to the nightmares. The way she always does.
It was always that simple.
“Did you go back to sleep?”
“Yeah,” she whispers. “I did. Thank you. I just got to the bookstore.”
“Then I’ll let you get to work,” I say, pausing at the refrigerators and grabbing the lactose-free milk.
“The boss says I’m early, so I’m good to talk to my boyfriend for a few minutes.”
My stomach flutters. I grab a carton of dozen eggs with a silly grin. “Yeah? Your boss sounds nice.”
“She is when she wants to be,” Lana chuckles. “She’s got this real femme fatale vibe. She throws shoes around a lot too.”
I laugh with a tub of ice cream in my hand. “I’ve heard the same rumors.”
Softer, she asks, “Are you okay, Christian?”
“I am, why?”
“Just…a feeling. You can tell me…”
Lana pauses, but I exhale slowly and say the first thing I think of. “I know, baby. I will.”
“Are you sure?” A beat of silence before she says, “Whatever it is, I’m here. Whatever you need.”
I exhale shakily. “I think I’ll just need you later.”
“The Officeand cuddle?”
I smile, turning away from the cheap alcohol. “Yes. I just need to hold you, Lana.”
“Hmm,” she hums. “Or formeto holdyou?”
“Both.”
