Goodbye, Mr. Regret

"Jessica."

Timothy's voice brushed against her ear, low and warm, his breath stirring the air between them and making her head spin.

"Try to get some sleep."

His hand moved gently over her lower abdomen, soothing her.

Her heart fluttered and ached at once.

He didn't even realize how seductive his tenderness was.

Before long, she drifted off, lost in a hazy, comforting drowsiness.

The next morning.

Jessica opened her eyes to find the bed beside her empty. From the bathroom came the soft sounds of running water and the clink of toiletries.

She slipped out from under the covers. To her surprise, the cramps she'd suffered the night before had vanished completely.

Timothy stepped out of the bathroom.

He looked impeccable-dressed in a crisp suit, hair neatly combed, clean-shaven and radiant. Handsome to the point of perfection.

"Why aren't you sleeping a bit longer?"

It was already

Timothy

a split second as her feet left the

concern. "Save

down in front of the sink, grabbed her pale blue electric toothbrush, squeezed out a

isn't stronger, she thought, I'll never survive

eyes. His voice was soft and casual. "I cleared my schedule for the next few days. I'll be home

the toothbrush, then signed to him,

her supervisor hope only

she'd brought this up as

still hadn't tried to find a way for Sheila to become the

he stepped in, it would only make things more complicated for her down

know Ines better. Once you've talked it over, let me know. I'll make

wanting to keep

away for work was out of the question; nothing could be allowed to disrupt the

nothing more. She would wait and see. He cared about Sheila

finished getting ready, Timothy

and Sheila were nowhere to be seen. Jessica

matched her outfit and placed it

to the amusement park as soon as he woke up. You weren't feeling well last night, so I told him not to wake you. The driver's already taken him. We should get