Page 63 of Bronson

She giggles. “Very well. Thank you. And you?”

The truth is I’ve never slept better. I can’t believe I slept right through her leaving. “Well. Except for the fact I woke up alone. No note? How the hell did you manage to get out of here⁠—”

“Sasha. I remember Carter saying she had a five o’clock spin class. After you dozed off, I set my alarm for four-thirty and put it under my pillow—I didn’t want to wake you. Your door was unlocked, and no alarm set as far as I could tell. I bumped into Sasha on the stoop, just as she was on her way to class. I explained I’d stayed over with you and didn’t want to wake you but needed to get to work. I went out with her. I got to see the secret alleyway behind Barbells. I felt like I was a spy in a movie.”

I’d thought she’d be here this morning. That I’d be able to go over more details of the secrecy that’s required of her. I start to say, “Paige. You can’t tell anyone about what you’ve witnessed here⁠—”

“Oh, I won’t! Sasha completely filled me in. We had the best talk. She was even telling me all about the security clearance she had to go through to get one of those cool thumbprint access codes. I was so enthralled, I was almost late to work.”

“I’d forgotten you work Sundays,” I say, attempting to hide the disappointment in my voice.

She says, “I’m here now. I’d better get back to it. I miss you.”

“I miss you.”

“Hey, I’d love to chat, but I’ve got to get back to work now. Breakfast is the most important meal around here—if they don’t get it, they’re super crabby the rest of the day,” she says.

“I’ll let you go,” I say.

“I’ll see you at the party tonight, right?” she asks.

I don’t remember being invited to one. “What party?”

“The luau I’m hosting. I thought I’d told you about it? You’ll be Ingrid’s date,” she says.

“Paige, I don’t really ‘do’ luaus⁠—”

“What’s that, Brauny? I can’t really hear you.” There is a loud crash on the other end. “I have to go. See you tonight! Bye!”

“Goodbye. Be good.”

“Wait—are you still there?”

“Of course.”

“I… I can’t wait to see you.”

The tug in my heart strengthens. “Me too, Paige.”

She’s gone.

I know she’s only a few blocks away. But it could just as well be a million miles.

I want her here. With me.

I would have ordered her favorite foods from the deli. Health be damned. I would get her doughnuts and sugar-laden lattes if that’s what her heart desired.

My heart desires her.

Without Paige here to convince me to order pastries, I have my usual spinach and egg white omelet. Afterwards, I hit the floor, doing my crunches and pushups and plank work. I take a hot shower. The water runs over my neck and shoulders, reminding me of how hard Paige wrapped her arms around me last night. Like she was holding on to life itself.

My cock hardens, just thinking about her.

How am I going to get through this day without her? Or tomorrow, for that matter? Or every day after that.

I have one consolation. She wears my ring on her finger.

She’s mine. Marked by the blue diamond.