A pause.
Bones
He must be special. You never seemed to want a deeper connection.
I press my lips together. Even now, I hesitate to share intimate information with my masked man.
Karolina
I don’t know what I want. I just know that I can’t keep doing this.
Bones
Fair enough. I want you to be happy, Karolina.
My eyes sting, and I quickly blink away the threat of tears.
Karolina
Thank you. I want you to be happy too.
Bones
I will be. I’m not upset with you. I never could be.
Karolina
I don’t want to hurt you.
Bones
I’m not hurt, kitten. If this is what you need, I’ll support you.
I swipe wet heat from my cheek.
Karolina
Thank you for everything.
Bones
Be well, Karolina.
Karolina
You too.
I stare at my phone for a few minutes, but he doesn’t send another message.
It’s over.
I wipe my cheeks again.
The loss of my constant companion is undeniably painful.
Suddenly, selfishly, I don’t want to be alone in my pain.
I find Rand’s contact details.
