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But I can’t stop thinking about that inscription.

Until the broken visage is made whole.

Coincidence.

It has to be.

Still, the sooner I finish restoring his face, the sooner I can stop obsessing over him.

At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

“All right, handsome.” I adjust my magnifying lamp. “Let’s see what we can do about that face.”

The laboratory remains silent.

“Not that you need much help. Honestly, even with half your cheek missing, you’re still better-looking than ninety-nine percent of the men I’ve dated.”

I apply a small amount of conservation-grade fill material to the damaged area.

“Although your personality could use some work.”

Thunder cracks overhead.

I smile.

“Don’t get offended. You know you’re bossy.”

Another rumble shakes the windows.

“See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You can’t just throw a tantrum every time a woman disagrees with you.”

I smooth the repair with a delicate sculpting tool.

“Honestly, if you were real, we’d have to have a serious conversation about boundaries.”

The overhead lights flicker.

I pause.

“Morpheus?”

Nothing.

I shake my head.

“Wonderful. Now I’m talking to him like he’s actually listening.”

I continue working, carefully blending the restored section into the original marble.

The damaged cheek gradually takes shape beneath my fingers.

A strong jaw.

A sharp cheekbone.

The faint curve of an impossibly beautiful mouth.

I step back to examine my work.