“One more thing before I go. Don’t cry alone again without me there to comfort you.” I didn’t wait around for her response but left after one last look at her; all snuggled up in bed. She looked so small there, and for a moment, it gave me pause. How the hell does someone like me handle something that delicate? The thought, instead of swaying me, only made me want. Time to get the hell out of there and away from her before my thoughts get ahead of me.

I stood outside her ...