Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

The sound of hers on mine.

Is it the hole in my gut, thinking about waking up without her tomorrow and every day after?

Love is supposed to be a good thing.

But it feels more like a weapon.

I’m sorry, but I don’t love you anymore.

I’m sorry. I love you. I need more.

I love you.

I loved you.

That’s why I’m hurting you.

I’m sorry, but I have to twist that knife.

I have to pry your heart open.

And tear it to shreds.

I love you too much to leave it alone.

None of it makes sense.

The walk back to the hotel fails to help.

Leighton is gone. There’s no sign of her in the room. Nothing but the smell of her coconut shampoo on the sheets.

It goes right to my bones.

It tears a hole in my gut.

Is that love—the aching feeling in my chest that begs for her?

I don’t know. But I know love shouldn’t be defined in negatives.

I’m on a fucking cloud when she’s here.

I want to wake up next to her.

I want to fucking dream about her.

I practice the words in my head. I love you, Leighton.

They’re not toxic when they’re about her.

They’re effervescent.

It takes forever, but they find a way to my lips.

I love you, Leighton.

They dissolve into the air.

They hit me someplace deep.