My heart stops, as does my breath, as my lungs pause painfully. The instant panic that maybe he doesn’t want me anymore, and I’m slow to catch up.

It has the same effect as ripping my heart right out.

“What is with you tonight?” The words are out before I can filter them, strained, panic-ridden suddenly, and he throws me back a strange, pensive expression, a little surprised that I can sense it, before pulling open the cupboard for his coffee and supplies to get his ...