JENNIE

Only eleven in the morning, and I already wished the day were over. My co-worker Wendy had just expressed that the layout I'd just finished was "a good start." Instead of plotting out ways to avoid her the rest of my working life, I spent the next twenty minutes fantasizing about how my day would've gone if I'd skipped work to stay in bed with Lisa.

I cursed at my desk phone when it seared through my daydream just as it was getting good. "Yes?" I answered.

"There's a man here in the lobby to see you," Somi said.

"Who is it?" I asked. "Can you send him back?"

"He won't tell me his name," she said tersely.

I hung up and fixed my hair quickly in the mirror before weaving through the cubicles and out to the front.

A middle-aged man in an ill-fitting suit that reeked of stale cigarettes approached me. "You Jennie Kim?" he asked.

"Yes."

He jotted something on the clipboard in his hand. "You're being served with a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage," he said, holding out an oversized envelope.

There it was. The tragic ending I'd been avoiding since the day I'd looked up the word divorce in the dictionary. As Somi looked on, my face heated. "That was awfully quick," I said.

The man's hard eyes met mine. "I'm here as a favor. Taehyung's a friend."

"Was it really necessary to come to my workplace?" I asked, snatching the packet.

He shrugged and handed me the clipboard to sign. After he left, I took a deep breath and turned to face Somi, who'd been joined by a concerned-looking Yuna.

"Is everything all right, Jen?" Somi asked.

My hand began to sweat around the envelope. "It's fine."

"Was that from Taehyung?" Yuna asked. "Were you expecting it?"

I scratched under my nose. "Yes. Just not at work," I said, and crossed the lobby, picking up my pace so I could process this alone.

Seated at my desk, I examined the papers, unsure of what I was looking at. Anything involving the legal system, I would've taken to Taehyung. Instead of trying to do this on my own or give myself the day to consider my options, I shot Lisa a text.

I didn't have to do this alone, and for once, I was glad to ask for help.

Me: I just got served.

My cell phone rang almost immediately with Lisa's call. "What happened?" she asked.

I tucked the phone between my shoulder and ear while flipping through the paperwork. "Some guy just served me with divorce papers."

"At work?"

"Yes." I groaned. "Talk about embarrassing."

"At least we can get this process started," Lisa said. "I'm actually meeting my lawyer for lunch on Adams. We'll come by afterward to take a look."

I fingered my new earring. Office gossip would spread fast. First, the roses, and now, the divorce papers. People would put two and two together. Did I care anymore?

She sighed when I didn't respond. "You're worried about what people will say?" she asked. "You can come to lunch if you want, but we'll be talking about Clare and some menial items." She paused. "But I want nothing more than to show you off, Jennie You're going to have to tell your co-workers sometime."

This was more than Lisa swinging by my office. Announcing our relationship to the world was an act of faith in us. Up until our time in Dallas, I would've wavered over the decision, but she was right. Lisa wasn't going anywhere, and people would eventually find out.

"No, it's fine," I said and a small smile formed on my face as I realized that I, too, would get to show her off. "Come by when you're finished. I miss you anyway."

"Good call, baby," she said, her voice a little grittier. "See you soon."

I hung up as a grin broke free. I was getting an unexpected visit from my girlfriend. It wasn't the same as ditching work to stay in bed with her, but it would brighten my day considerably.

She texted me she's on her way over, so I went to meet her in the lobby. Somi looked about to burst from curiosity, but I ignored her by playing with my phone as I sat in a club chair to wait.

With the ping of the elevator, I looked up. Lisa waltzed through toward the glass doors with another smartly dressed man.

"Oh, shit. Is that Lisa Manoban?" Somi whispered right before they entered.

I stood to greet them. Lisa leaned down, kissed me on the cheek, and introduced me to her lawyer, Jerry.

"Nice to meet you," I said, shaking his hand.

He nodded. "Lisa's told me a lot about you."

I kept my head down as I led both of them through the cubicles. I was glad Lisa had come, but there was no need to make a bigger spectacle than I knew her presence would. In my office, I shut the door carefully and handed the documents over to Jerry.

As she looked them over, Lisa put her arm around me and planted an innocent kiss on my lips. "How are you?"

"Better," I said, touching her jaw.

"Me, too. I booked our weekend. Pack your bags, baby, and your teeniest bikini. We're going to Miami." I grinned, and she squeezed me before looking up. "How's it look, Jerry?"

"Standard stuff so far," Jerry said, perching on the edge of my desk. "Taehyung has filed for divorce."

"Do you know Taehyung?" I asked.

"Yep." He licked the tip of his index finger and flipped a page. "Nice guy, good at what he does."

I leaned into Lisa. "Will that be an issue?"

"Not at all." Jerry cleared his throat. "Looks like he's filing on the grounds of adultery."

"He warned me he would," I said. "He's pulling this whole 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' act."

"Actually," Jerry started, "it's unusual to file this way because it involves going to trial. That means time and money, evidence and witnesses. And since it doesn't affect the division of assets because of Illinois' laws, he's likely only doing it for one reason."

"To embarrass her," Lisa guessed.

"You got it," Jerry said. "Thing is . . . it could work in your favor. If Taehyung's able to prove adultery, which he will be, they may grant the divorce faster." Jerry looked up, resting the papers against his thigh. "Jennie would deny the charge, but essentially, we'd be throwing the case."

"Isn't that, like, collusion or something?" I asked.

"No, because Taehyung isn't in on it." Jerry nodded at Lisa. "You said you want fast, this is fastest. Assuming you're willing to spend the money, Manoban." Jerry shrugged. "Otherwise, we can try to convince Taehyung to agree to a no-fault divorce, which would cost everyone less but could take either six months or two years."

"Two years?" I exclaimed.

"The court wants to know that you've had a reasonable separation period," Jerry explained. "That's customarily two years but can be reduced to six months."

That was ridiculous. How could a court possibly make that determination? My heart sank knowing how long Lisa had waited to find her future wife, only to have to wait two more years.

"I think you know how I feel, Jerry," Lisa said. "Money's no object if it means moving this along."

Jerry nodded. "Then I'll file the response today. Next thing would be—"

"Wait," I said. "You mentioned a trial. Evidence? Witnesses? Is that necessary?"

"Yes." Jerry sucked in a breath. "That's where the shaming comes in. You should be prepared for it to get personal."

"Let's proceed," Lisa said.

"Hang on," I said, stepping away from Lisa. "What do you mean by 'personal'?"

"Well . . ." Jerry dropped the stack of papers on my desk and looked around the small office. "Taehyung will need to submit evidence. This might involve photographs of you two, witness accounts, private detectives—since you're denying the charge so it goes to trial, he'll need whatever he can scrape up to prove that you cheated on him."

"Absolutely not," I said, forming two fists. It was bad enough I'd be branded an adulterer the rest of my life, but ultimately, I was just another divorcée. Lisa had a successful career and reputation to protect. "I'm not putting Lisa through that."

"Baby," Lisa said, "it might get you out faster. It would mean—"

"No," I said resolutely. I didn't need to discuss, consider, or even give it another thought. I turned to face Lisa. "I won't have your name dragged through the mud like that. What about your career, Lisa? The firm? You've worked too hard to get where you are. We can do six months, two years if we have to."

Lisa frowned. "I've waited long enough to call you mine."

I stepped up and took her hand in mine. "I am yours. And you can tell anyone you want, but what's most important is that we know it." Despite being acutely aware of a third person in the room, and slightly uncomfortable with being so vulnerable in front of him, I forced myself to tell Lisa what she deserved to hear. "I'll be married to Taehyung on paper a while longer, but my heart is completely, irrevocably yours no matter what."

Lisa took my chin and touched her thumb to the corner of my mouth. With gratitude in her eyes, she nodded, then turned to Jerry. "How does it work if Jennie admits to the affair?"

"Like I said, the two-year separation can be reduced to six months if both parties agree to it," Jerry said.

"If he's out for payback, he'll never go for that," Lisa said.

"Unless . . ." I blinked up at her. "Unless I tell him he can keep everything."

"I doubt any amount of money will deter him from seeing us suffer," Lisa said.

I smiled. "Then you don't know Taehyung. He's pretty frugal."

I'd wanted to shield Taehyung from getting hurt further, even up until I'd gone to move out my things. But now, my loyalty lay with Lisa. And Taehyung had gone out of his way to try to embarrass him, so I didn't owe him any more protection. "He doesn't know we were already planning to let him have it. He'll go for it. I just have to convince him."

Jerry pulled at his chin. "Jennie—I'm Lisa's lawyer, but in this matter, you're my client, too." He looked between Lisa and me. "And as your lawyer, I can't advise you to do that. In all my years of practice, I've never had a client hand everything over. If you waive the right to alimony, that's it. No turning back."

Lisa's arm tightened around me. "Jerry. We already discussed this."

"I'm sorry, Lisa." He shook his head. "We go back a long time, but I can't advise a client to enter into that type of agreement no matter how in love she thinks she is."

I wondered if that was true or if Jerry had reservations because of Lisa's history. But it was clear to me, by the way Lisa tensed beside me, and from the time we'd spent together, that my trust in her meant something. It meant a lot. And despite all the times I'd deprived her of it, she'd still fought for me. So I said, "Let the bastard have it all."

Both pairs of eyes cut to me.

"What's the next step?" I asked Jerry. "Getting Taehyung to agree to six months?"

"Uh." Jerry looked at us with an expression somewhere between confused, delighted, and reluctant. "Yep, that's the next step."

"It's decided then," Lisa said.

"All right." Jerry picked up the paperwork again. "Mind if I take a few more minutes with this?"

"Sure," I said.

As she sat at my desk, Lisa turned to block me from Jerry with her body. she placed her hands on my cheeks. "Thank you," she said.

"I trust you." I held her gaze. "Completely."

Her thumb moved over my cheek. "You don't know what that means to me."

I beamed at her.

"What's that smile for?" she asked.

"It feels good to be . . . out in the open."

"It feels amazing. I'm sorry I left you in bed this morning, but I wanted to finish up at work in time to drive you home tonight."

I hesitated. "Actually, Davena's husband—"

"Mack."

"Yes . . . Mack. He called earlier and wants to go for dinner. I haven't seen him since before everything happened."

Lisa smiled warmly. "That sounds nice."

I wanted Lisa to meet Mack, but after telling my friends, my office, and most importantly, my dad, the past couple weeks had been a lot. "I understand if you don't want to come."

Lisa studied my face before responding. "I'd like to," she said. "But won't it be uncomfortable showing up with someone who isn't your husband?"

I didn't have the first clue what I'd say to Mack. He'd recently lost the love of his life—would he understand my choice to leave Taehyung? No playbook existed for this kind of thing. "It definitely will, but I'd like you to be there. I think you understand how important Mack is to me, how important Davena was. They're my godparents."

"Then I'd be honored to meet him," Lisa said. "What time should I pick you up here?"

"Dinner's at seven-thirty, and I want to change first, but it's close to the apartment."

Jerry alerted us that he was finished, so I walked them back to the lobby. I'd hung my head on our way in, so this time, as we zigzagged through the office, I grasped Lisa's hand. She was my girlfriend, and that was what couples did. After a look of surprise from her, I was rewarded with her wonderfully perfect boyish grin—now, one of my favorite sights in the world.

At the elevator bank, Jerry averted her eyes as Lisa swooped in for one last kiss. "See you tonight," she said.

I left them in the elevator bank and returned to the lobby, where Yuna and Somi blockaded me from passing.

"We need details," Somi demanded.

"Like, now," Yuna added.

I sighed to hide my amusement. "You two are incurable gossips."

"Is that how the story starts?" Somi chided. "I didn't think so. Spill ."

I crossed my arms and leaned a hip against Somi's desk. "As you may have figured out, Taehyung and I are getting a divorce." I gestured over my shoulder. "And I'm dating Lisa."

"Get out," Somi said as Yuna balked, "Shut up!"

"Well, which is it?" I teased. Finally, I allowed my smile to break through.

Somi squealed, "How did this happen?"

I scratched my forehead. "It's a long story."

"She's the most beautiful person in Chicago," Yuna gushed.

"Who is?" I heard and turned my head. Wendy had appeared in the doorway.

"Jen's lover," Yuna said.

"Uh, Taehyung?" she asked.

"No," Somi said, rolling her eyes. "She's getting a divorce. We're talking about her girlfriend ."

Wendy looked at me. "And that would be . . .?"

I raised my chin. "You remember Lisa Manoban?"

Her mouth fell open. "From 'Most Eligible'?"

I nodded.

"Yeah fucking right . . . Lisa Manoban and you?" Her back went rod-straight as she looked over my shoulder. "I mean—"

Just for that comment, I decided to brag. "Yep," I said loudly. "Lisa Manoban and me. Me and, as Yuna said, the hottest guy in Chicago. But, believe it or not, she's also incredibly sweet, romantic, thoughtful, and just . . ." I sighed happily. "Just, like, so seriously amazing."

"Go on," came a deep voice behind me, followed by an amused chuckle.

Oh my God. I paled and turned around slowly. Lisa stood at the door, taking in the scene. Somi and Yuna gasped. Wendy snickered. And Lisa grinned—huge. "Jerry took your pen." She held it out. "Asked me to return it."

"Oh. Of course." I smoothed my hand down my front and tried to play it cool as I walked to her and took the pen. It had to be the absolute most ridiculous reason ever to get caught gushing about your girlfriend. I mumbled a "thanks" and turned, but she grabbed my arm and spun me around into her body.

She held me there to plant a sweet kiss on my lips. "You, Jennie Kim, are the one who's seriously amazing," she said loudly enough for everyone to hear, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "And I love you."

The two wilting sighs behind me harmonized with my own. Lisa released me, but not before shooting Wendy an especially chilling glance that made even my stomach drop. I watched Lisa return through the doors to where Jerry held the elevator for her. Hands in her pockets, Lisa winked at me as the elevator doors closed.

When I turned back, all three women seemed on the verge of exploding.

"She loves you?" Somi exclaimed. "You are so goddamn lucky."

"I am," I agreed.

"You aren't lucky, Jen. You deserve it," Yuna said as if it were obvious. "She's the one who's lucky."

I searched her face and found only sincerity. "Thank you, Yuna. That's really sweet."

She smiled, and we giggled conspiratorially when we noticed Wendy had slunk away.

In the foyer of the apartment, as Lisa and I waited for the elevator, her eyes scanned my pink, shimmering, long-sleeved shift dress with lace overlay. "Should I be worried about this Mack?" she joked.

I tightened my ponytail. "Why, is it too sexy?"

"It's the perfect amount of sexy . . ." Lisa bit her lip. "As long as I'm with you at all times."

I laughed as I slipped into my coat. "Then my diabolical plan to keep you close is working."

We opted to walk from the apartment to the restaurant where we were meeting Mack.

As we headed out into the night, Lisa moved to the outside of the sidewalk. "Jerry advised me to lose Arnaud," she said. "He thinks he's full of shit and a liability."

So I wasn't the only one. I glanced at the sidewalk. "What'd you say?"

"I said no. I can't fire a man at the top of his field based on an allegation. Arnaud has given me no reason to doubt him, and he says all his interactions with her were professional." Lisa stared forward. "Anyway, it did remind me that you said you didn't like him a while back."

I linked my elbow with her. "Right."

"Well?" she prompted. "I'm asking what made you say that."

"I really don't want to get in the middle." Did I? Even if I hadn't met Arnaud, I'd be inclined to believe Clare. Maybe she was bitter over the way Lisa had fired her, but both things could be true. I'd been hit on by a professor in college, and plenty of my friends had been propositioned by superiors. "He's your friend. It's not my business."

"He's my associate first," Lisa said. "And the people in my life affect you."

That was true. I really didn't like the idea of hanging around Arnaud in any kind of setting. Hiding my feelings to keep the peace was one of the mistakes I'd made with Taehyung, so I stopped walking and turned to Lisa. "Well, since you asked, I'll be honest. Arnaud makes me very uncomfortable. When he looks at me, it's like he's undressing me with his eyes."

Lisa froze, staring at me. "Unfortunately, I'd bet a lot of men look at you that way," she said. "Didn't I ?"

"Yes, but that was different. It never crossed my mind that you'd like taking advantage of me," I said. "But Arnaud? I wouldn't want to be alone with him."

Lisa rubbed at the lines between her eyebrows, clearly trying to process something that didn't make sense to her. "Arnaud's intense, and . . . sometimes people don't get his humor because he's not from here. That's why I handle client relations."

I shrugged and resumed walking. "Again, I don't really want to get in the middle, Lisa. But I don't think it's fair to write off those around you who are saying something isn't right."

After a moment, she blew out a sigh. "All right. I hear you. I'll look into it further."

"Thank you." I didn't want to bring down the mood, so I tucked my hair behind my ear and smiled up at her. "Have I mentioned today that I love my new earrings? And that later, I intend to show you how much?"

That got me a grin. "Can't wait."

Lisa stopped me as we approached the restaurant. "I'm going to wait at the bar and give you and Mack a chance to talk first. And if you change your mind about us meeting, come find me when you finish."

"Thank you, honey." I lifted my chin, and she kissed me quickly.

Mack took the news well. He'd suspected something had gone awry with Taehyung after our last conversation, where I'd broken down in tears in Mack's arms. I explained that in addition to my despair over Davena, I'd spent the months after her funeral trying to convince myself I wasn't in love with another person.

"I can tell you're much lighter, Jennie," Mack said and took my hand over the table for two he'd gotten near a window. "Much, much lighter. The difference is appalling, actually. You're glowing."

"I'm happy, Mack. And in love. Real love." I blushed. "I'd like to think maybe even the kind you shared with Davena."

He looked taken aback. "This is a side of you I've never seen. I should like to meet the one who's brought this out in you."

"Actually . . . she's here," I said, pushing some of my hair behind my ear. "She wants to meet you, but we weren't sure how you'd react."

"She's here now?" Mack asked.

I glanced toward the front of the restaurant. "At the bar."

Mack stood immediately and signaled for a waiter. "Bring her over, dear. I'll get us a table with a place for her."

"You're sure?" I asked, getting up, too. When he nodded, I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for being supportive."

I found Lisa on a barstool with her back to me, whiskey in hand. When I touched her shoulder, she turned. I meant to peck her quickly on the lips, but when our mouths met, I lingered there for a moment. "Mmm," I moaned. "Whiskey reminds me of our first night together. You tasted so—"

"Do not say another word," Lisa warned. "Or else I'll meet your godfather with a hard-on."

I exhaled a laugh and held out my hand. "Come on. It's going well."

We made our way over and Mack stood as I introduced them. They shook hands, and Lisa expressed her regret over Davena's death. I remembered then that Lisa had been at the funeral, and I squeezed her hand.

As Lisa slid out my chair for me, Mack said, "Jen's a different woman. Thank you for that."

"She deserves better than what she was getting," Lisa replied and sat.

Mack set his elbows on the table, his eyebrows high. "You don't mince words, do you, Lisa? Taehyung was all right. A bit of an ass if you ask me, though."

My mouth dropped with shock as my eyes shot to Mack. He was almost always overly polite, although that didn't mean he held back. "You really thought that?"

"Sorry, dear, but I didn't care much for his disposition," Mack said, unfurling his dinner napkin. "I wish Davena were here to see this. She was supportive, but we wondered several times what it was you saw in him."

"Apparently, you're not the only one," I said with a deep inhale. "Surprisingly, others have expressed their support, too. Not everyone, but that's understandable."

"Your mother?" Mack asked astutely.

Lisa put her hand on the back of my chair. "Not supportive," she said.

Mack grimaced at me. "After her history with your father, I can see why this would upset her."

"She's more than upset," I said, and Lisa's hand dropped to massage the back of my neck. "She's practically disowned me."

"If Leanore were a rational woman, I'd say once she sees you two together, her opinion will change," Mack said, and looked to Lisa. "Unfortunately, I think this will be a long battle."

Would my mother ever even give us the opportunity to show her? I had a hard time envisioning it. Enough time had passed that if she wanted, she could have called to apologize for what she'd said. I tried to think of a time in my life when she'd apologized for anything. "I hope she comes around one day, but I'm not holding my breath."

"She sounds like a complicated woman," Lisa said.

Mack laughed. "Yes. She's always been headstrong, but complicated and difficult are also words frequently used to describe her."

"Difficult, yes," I agreed, and covered Mack's hand. "Thankfully, I had Davena as a stand-in."

As our dinner proceeded, Lisa and Mack discovered some mutual business acquaintances. Lisa listened intently about the foundation Mack had started in Davena's name, offering her services should Mack be able to use them. At some point during the night, I remembered that I'd once asked Lisa if things were ever going to get easier.

It seemed that they were.

Burrowing under the comforter to combat a particularly cold night, and feeling loose after the wine I'd had at dinner with Mack, I wondered what was taking Lisa so long to join me. "Are you coming?" I sang, growing impatient.

"Where are you?" she called.

I pulled the comforter down a little so I could see her. All six-feet-four of her—long, lean, and gloriously naked. Even in my flannel pajamas, I shivered. "It's so cold."

I squealed when she jumped on the bed. She climbed under the sheets to cover me with her warmth, tucking my arms under her elbows and my legs between her.

"That's perfect," I exhaled, instantly cured. "Never leave."

"Deal."

I giggled when she bent her head and breathed hot air on my neck. I wanted to reach up and brush my hand through her soft hair, but she kept me securely pinned under her body. Up close, I could see every strand, and when I spotted something new, I grinned. "Are you getting gray hairs?"

"Probably," she grumbled, "considering what you've put me through the last few months."

I gaped at her, holding back a laugh. "You're blaming me ?"

She kissed the underside of my jaw. "That's a resounding yes."

"Well, that's fine," I said, "because I actually find it quite distinguished and very sexy. Like really, super sexy."

"Super sexy, huh?" she moaned against my skin and continued trailing kisses wherever she could reach. Being restrained by her body, all I could do was squirm—and bite my bottom lip, which I instantly released since it was tender. I'd almost forgotten I'd made it bleed during our bedroom adventures the night before. "What's with all the flannel?" she asked, rising onto her hands and knees, tenting the comforter.

"It's winter, and you weren't here to keep me warm," I said defensively.

She began unbuttoning my pajama top, smiling like the scoundrel she was. Her eyes grew hungry as she muttered to herself, "It's like opening a present."

I sighed happily and let my lids fall shut as my nipples hardened, anticipating Lisa's mouth on them.

Until Lisa's voice boomed through the room. "Fuck."

My eyes flew open. "What?" I followed her gaze to a dark purple bruise forming on my chest in the spot where she'd bitten me the day before.

She sat back, and the comforter slid off her back. Lisa pushed up my shirt, then yanked down my pants. "What the fuck?" Her fingers gently spread my thighs, and I moved up on my elbows to see what she was looking at. she ran her hands over my hip and ushered me onto my side. "You are covered," she paused to inhale, "in bruises ."

Ah. I hadn't even noticed, but it wasn't all that surprising. Lisa and I had been going at it hard ever since we'd returned from Dallas. "They're no big deal," I said. "I can't even feel them."

"I was too rough with you yesterday," she said, staring at my legs.

"And I loved it," I said, looking her in the eye so she wouldn't get weird about this.

She raked a hand through her hair and looked away, clearly distraught.

"Hey," I said, trying to catch her gaze. "Look at me. I'm fine."

"Fine?" she asked, and I silently cursed myself for using what had apparently become a trigger word for us.

"Yes, I am," I said. "And I'm not just saying that. Frankly, I've never been happier."

It was an honest and big confession, but Lisa didn't even hear it. Her jawline flexed as she muttered something about Taehyung.

I instantly recoiled. "Lisa, the marks he left behind came from anger. This is completely different. Remember what you said about us? It's all love."

She blinked her eyes to me then. "I'm so sorry. Seeing what Mark and Taehyung did to you, I lost my mind." She shook her head. "And now this? It won't happen again. You have my word."

Wait, what? That was the exact opposite answer I'd been hoping for. I scrambled to my knees and took her face in my hands. "You didn't hurt me," I said emphatically. "Sometimes we're loving. Sometimes we're rough. I would tell you if it was too much."

"You didn't last night, though." Her eyes fell to my mouth. "You bit your lip bloody instead."

"I didn't stop you because I liked it," I said gently. "I trust you."

When she didn't respond, I hoped it was because she understood I meant every word. I fell back onto the bed and playfully nudged her thigh with my foot. "Now, come back here. We—"

"I can't." She pulled my pants back up. "Not tonight."

"Lisa, sweetie," I said, putting my hand over her to stop her. "Don't do this. I want you."

"It's late," she murmured, doing up the buttons of my top. "You should sleep."

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Office," she said, jumping off the bed and pulling on her sweatpants.

"What?" I asked. "You're going to leave me here, horny and alone? And cold?"

At the word cold, she paused, shifted on her bare feet, then took a step back. "The more I get done tonight, the more time I can spend with you tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'm not buying that." I rolled over onto my side and muttered something about blue balls.

The mattress gave when she climbed over me. "Don't pout, honeybee. I really do have work to do, but I'll be in soon." She kissed me on the cheek and then on the shoulder before disappearing.

Lisa turned down sex? Couldn't she see that hurt more than a few bruises I hadn't even noticed? I wasn't cold anymore. Just angry. I kicked off my pajama pants and stripped out of the shirt. Maybe she'd find me naked, wake me up, and we could do it then, I reasoned. Despite her telling me not to pout, that's exactly what I did until I dozed off.