Like we’ve done this a hundred times.
Like we could do this forever.
Afterward, she curls into my chest, fingers tracing patterns on my skin while the city lights flicker through the blinds.
Cars passing.
Distant sirens.
Boston breathing around us.
Weekend’s over.
Work in the morning.
Real life waiting.
But right now?
It’s just her hair in my mouth and her leg tangled with mine.
Perfect.
I fall asleep like that.
Something wakes me.
Not loud.
Just… movement.
I roll toward her automatically.
Empty.
Still warm, but empty.
The bathroom light glows faint under the door.
I hear cupboards opening.
Closing.
Drawers sliding.
Soft rustling.
Not normal bathroom sounds.
Not water running.
Not brushing teeth.
More like?—
Searching.
I blink awake slowly.
