Ethan had left early in the morning. I'd bet on it. When the sky was just beginning to lighten, with darkness and laziness prevailing. All I felt was a lingering good morning kiss. I should have gotten up from the bed, performed a formal departure ritual, or asked Ethan for a more serious commitment.

After all, as everyone knew, all men's words in bed were no different from barking dogs. But I didn't have much strength and had to let it go.

When the dawn light outside the ...