Chapter 31

Little by little, the world was sliding out of my grasp. I prided myself on control. Slow and steady always wins the race. But I’d been in a whirlwind since Lem knocked on my door and all my papers went flying. Details appeared and took on life without my prior knowledge. I couldn’t manipulate what I couldn’t control, and if I couldn’t manipulate them to my own satisfaction, how was I supposed to function?

My shoulders slumped as I rested my head in my hands. With my eyes closed, I welcomed the darkness that wrapped around me, offering me comfort when I needed it the most. When it gained weight, I imagined that I’d somehow made it manifest, only to realize a split second later that it was Leandro’s hands, kneading at my tense biceps.

“My plan of just enjoying what we have isn’t a bad one,” Leandro coaxed. “Given the choices we’ve made…”

His voice faded. I thought he was done talking. Except his hands stilled slowly as well, drifting upward to the side of my neck and onto my nape.