His Marble Heart

e burned

ind of tremble that wasn't caffeine-induced but stress-born. Even after the wedding, after Ethan's unexpected softness,

pping down beside her, arms filled wi

ng w

ou your plants have feelings and

. "You're n

a bag and offered her a muffin. "Eat

d cof

in a cup isn

n't eat. She just held it, thumb

ly. "I thought I was just signing a contract. Just

where you don't

over, star

is... a lot. I google

on

body language. Apparently when he crosses his arms, it means he's

... com

the wedding. That wasn't a billionaire evaluating an employe

"He doesn't

sn't about like. Sometimes it's about seeing

idn't

utside Vanessa's wedding, when Ethan had said, "I used to be different,

harp eyes an

hated pr

lik

nd honeysuckle. A breeze drifted in through the open

f delphiniums when the door

ps," she called. "If you're

ere fo

ngers

half-expecting he

was

e, but no tie. Hair slightly tousled, as if he'd run his hand through it i

" she asked, heart trying

. "I heard you ha

talk m

ve so

said, eyes

is misplaced,"

her cheek to keep from

ke a b

use the world because yo

simply. "Beca

at him. He

haustion or maybe because part

ng her hands on her ap

ragile arrangements lined along the counter. She handed him a stool, and he

open the bag

my favorit

g, but he didn't l

p cautiously. "

atten

have people do

id no

d. It was her favorite. Exact bread. Exact filling. Do

o soften me," sh

n you," he replied. "I

do you wa

time she said h

eyes shadowed. "

retched be

throat. "I need you to

he

gh. The rooftop

uld've

n't wa

"That's not

only one

at her sandwich.

she said

he afternoon sun. The rooftop was still under construction-concrete

last flight of

er and gold buildings stacked like children's blocks.

an architect. When he turned and saw

ith heights

said. "No

and offer

dn't t

ing to fall

let you if

o the center of the space. Closed her eyes. Imagi

re you want

g, living. Somethin

r eyes. "That

am

r. "What happe

"Then it's

f it w

d hers. "The

ing petals from her dress. The air smelled li

hone

wn nu

ed at th

ans

el

ked happ

d her eye

pa

ay thank you.

roo

The v

on't thank me yet

et," h

her

y: "Can I c

itated.

leep much,

e nei

le

oodnight

ight,

stood in the dark, he