Seven words

then like someone finally vomit

ara about

e-night

ut Mara-cruel, dismissive ficti

etly. "That you didn't respect his work. That y

ds pass over her

urpri

nt lying just once-his

se?" Mar

id you wouldn't underst

emained calm, but something

antly. "I don't anymore.

separation

t to make this right, Tessa... y

idened. "Then

ep towa

trange sense of hope dan

oes tha

n now. Quietly. Carefully. When he calls you, you tell me

to... ruin me?" Tessa

entle it chilled the air between them. "Thi

lowly. "Okay.

ind of

r, Tessa reac

meet. He thinks w

's favorite lie. He thought relationships were mac

him, Mara

e everythi

a ag

kering streetlamp. She'd chosen a corner booth, the one furthest fro

sically, but she was

n unfolded exactl

, defe

s, ch

ing himself

us said, voice lowered. "I didn

ng Mara's quiet, razor-sharp c

fted-alignment, loyalty, p

hy didn't you tell me you wer

iffened.

al?" Her voice trembled, but she di

ie. I just... didn't tell you

levant," sh

n't turn this into something dramatic.

instead she said the line

o you look so afrai

us f

rf

her bed with trembling finger

ord Mar

y ex

t in his e

ly, savoring them-not for p

just apolog

raying Marc

timate violation than anyt