"At this point, I'll be grateful for your pieces."
*****
Jessica Franklin is at her wit ends, literally. With two sisters depending on her and a mountain of debts on her neck, she needs a way out before she breaks down...
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I'm still talking when I feel a weight settle on my shoulders. Stopping slightly, I turn around to see Jessica already asleep, her grip on the mug weakening. I take that from her, and her hands fall to the side and she snuggles even closer. As she slowly drifts off to sleep on my shoulder, I can't help but stare at her in amazement. Her face is soft and relaxed, her breathing steady and calm. The light from the moon casts a gentle glow on her skin, making her look even more beautiful than usual. The pounding in my heart intensifies.
I can feel her weight against me, but it's a welcome sensation. It's as if she trusts me enough to let her guard down and surrender to slumber. I can't help but feel a wave of tenderness wash over me as I watch her sleep.
As I stare at her, I notice things I may have missed before. The delicate curve of her lips, the way her eyelashes fan out against her cheek, the subtle rise and fall of her chest. It's as if I'm seeing her for the first time, and I'm falling even more deeply in love with her.
I had seen her from the window of my room and she had looked so lonely, my heart ached for her. I wanted nothing more than to hug her but Emma's words had filtered into my mind, stopping me.
Proceed with caution. Behind that beautiful face, is a woman with secrets and scars so deep, even her sisters are unaware of it.
It was obvious she was hiding something. And whatever it was, it was eating her up and making it impossible for her to get any sleep. I tried ignoring but eventually, I just gave up and came to see her. I'm glad I did, if not this moment would not be happening. Unable to resist the urge, I reach out and gently brush a strand of hair away from her face. She stirs slightly but doesn't wake up. On a closer look, I could see the dried tears on her cheeks and that makes my heart twist painfully. She'd been crying.
"Whatever did you go through that's haunting you at night?" I mutter to her, even if she isn't hearing me. I take a deep breath, savoring the scent of her shampoo and the warmth of her body against mine.
I stay like that for a while, just letting her sleep. When it's obvious she won't be waking up anytime soon, I carry her and make to take her to the bedroom, she burrows into my chest, curling into the blanket. Holding her securely, I carry her to her bed, tucking her in and wrapping the blanket around her since her room felt cold.
Watching her for a while, I run my fingers through her hair and face, searing the image of her sleeping so peacefully into my head. I start to pull away but she grips my hands, curling her body around it before falling back to sleep. I just stand there, dumbstruck, heart thudding wildly in my chest.
The realization hits me like a ton of bricks and I let out a pitiful smile. It's too late now. I've already fallen in love with this woman. And I don't know what to do about it. . . . Jessica woke up late the next morning and the dazed look on her face indicated that she still felt sleepy. Walking down the stairs, she glances around, the blanket folded and held against her chest. I hurriedly finish my coffee, standing up to my feet. She sees me and pauses, her eyes slowly widening.
