When the alarm rang, Alex was still asleep. Groggily, he hugged me tightly, trying to keep me in bed. Planting a kiss on my neck, he murmured, "Stay, Allison. Don't leave me."

His eyes remained closed. Instinctively, he was begging me to stay.

"Oh, Alex, I've got another part-time job today," I softly explained, untangling his arm.

Even in his slumber, Alex seemed to sense my departure, grumbling unhappily. The sunlight cast a warm glow on his handsome ...