Page 43

I noticed the knot on my head as soon as I double-checked my reflection in the car mirror.

The bruise was covered, but my temple seemed to be annoyingly swelling more and more as the minutes passed.

Great.

I could just text Monroe and say that I decided to stay home, but that would make this worse.

She would know.

And likely show up at my apartment.

So I went with option two—keeping my curly hair untucked and framing my face.

It annoyed me because it was in my eyes a little, but it covered the knot.

My plan was to randomly remember an assignment I had to submit—then I would go back to my apartment where I "coincidentally" left my laptop.

I think it's a pretty decent plan, and Monroe would go for it since school is always a good excuse.

I just needed to get through this dinner.

Nerves grew in my stomach, feeling nauseous, as I walked up the short steps toward the familiar tall door.

I froze slightly when the door immediately opened, not even giving me a chance to knock.

Monroe wasn't in her work clothes for once.

Instead, she wore a Polo quarter-zip and her usual straight-leg sweatpants.

She also had on her familiar Prada slippers, wearing her silky hair up in a bun and her bangs framing her bare face.

"Hi," I said, forcing an excited tone as I smiled.

Monroe opened her arms as soon as I leaned in to hug her, carefully keeping my face at a distance from her shoulder.

I didn't want to risk rubbing any of the makeup off.

Especially not onto her expensive-looking sweater.

"I made your favorite," Monroe said as I slowly leaned away from the hug, adjusting my hair slightly to ensure it was where I wanted it.

"I have a lot of favorites," I pointed out with a prominent smile on my lips, walking past her into the warm house.

"Rigatoni," Monroe clarified as I slipped off my shoes and positioned them neatly by the door.

My smile quickly turned genuine, "That sounds perfect right now," I admitted, walking with her down the hallway as she gently pressed her hand to my back.

"I assume it didn't go well with Kaia," she said, and I had to physically prevent myself from reacting.

She only assumes that because I didn't call her after everything.

It wasn't because of the covered bruise I'm currently trying to hide behind my hair.

At least that's what I tried to tell myself.

"It wasn't the best... she saw the roses and assumed I was choosing someone else over her," I briefly explained as we walked into the kitchen, "Then she thought I found out about my mother—apparently Kaia gave her information about my life to get her charges dropped," I added, feeling more mad about that than anything.

"She was looking for someone to blame for this," Monroe said, walking with me over to the table, "Lack of accountability was expected."

I sighed, "Yeah, I just thought it would go better—I never expected her to be in contact with my mother," I admitted as Monroe pulled the chair out for me.

The table was set as precisely as usual, with a covered dish in the middle and a dish of freshly baked bread.

"I know that was hard darling," Monroe said, gently pushing me closer to the table, "It's a sense of betrayal."

"Yes exactly, she totally betrayed me—and even lied directly to my face when I was ranting to her about it," I said as Monroe got seated beside me at the head of the table.

I awkwardly pursed my lips, suddenly rethinking my words.

Especially since they hit so close to the previous situation Monroe experienced with me lying about Kaia.

"Speaking of," I spoke again before Monroe could, holding her precise stare, "I'm really sorry about lying to you. I see how it feels now, and her lie wasn't even as bad as mine."

Monroe rolled her lips into a pursed line, "Liberty," she spoke, her voice softened between us as she gently grabbed my hand, "We moved past this remember? We discussed it together."

I quickly nodded, "I know-I know, but I feel really bad you know?" I whispered, suddenly glancing away from her stare.

"I understand darling, but we can't change the past," Monroe said, caressing her thumb against my hand in hers, "Is there anything I can do or say to help you move past this?"

I let out a deep sigh, "I don't know, it's not really about me. I did it to you," I pointed out, feeling like I was victimizing myself.

I'm being exactly like Kaia.

"You did do this, but the difference is that we're both trying to move past it together," Monroe explained, her eyes burning into my face as I avoided her stare, "You don't deserve to beat yourself up over something that's forgiven."

I remained silent, her words unconsciously hitting me harder than they should.

Or maybe I've just had a hard night and all I want to do is cry about it.

"Liberty," Monroe softly whispered, gently squeezing my hand, "You are forgiven. You're allowed to make mistakes and move past them. Repeat it back to me."

I drew in a deep breath, "I am forgiven," I said, my voice lowered as I stared at the table, avoiding her blue eyes, "I'm allowed to make mistakes and move past them."

"Yes you are," she assured me, her stare not wavering from my face.

I remained silent, nodding to myself as I tried to believe my words.

I'm allowed to make mistakes.

It's forgiven now.

"My sweet girl," Monroe suddenly whispered, making my face grow warm, "What's on your mind? Something is wrong here."

I shook my head, "Nothing's wrong—I just felt guilty," I quickly said, not wanting to verge down the topic of Kaia or this lie subject anymore.

I need to get my shit together.

"Is that garlic bread?" I curiously asked, hoping to divert the topic.

"Focaccia bread," Monroe corrected me, making my brows naturally raise at the long word.

Of course, she would make something like that rather than garlic bread.

"I can't wait to try it," I murmured as she let go of my hand to pull the lid off the dish of Rigatoni.

"How hungry are you darling?" Monroe asked me as she grabbed the serving spoon.

"Decently hungry," I said honestly, adjusting my hair slightly to ensure it still covered my temple, "Maybe just two scoops."

Monroe nodded, scooping a decent amount onto my plate.

I feel like I can relax now that the topic changed.

Even if I knew Monroe merely allowed my deflection.

She's aware enough to notice the obvious conversation shift.

She probably just respected that I didn't want to speak about it anymore.

"You know, I was thinking we could try the CNC thing," I suddenly said, hoping to keep the conversation far away from Kaia.

This new topic seemed like a good enough icebreaker.

Monroe paused, slowly setting the spoon down in the pot as her stare met mine.

It was silent for a long moment.

Tensely silent actually.

"I was uh doing research earlier and liked the idea," I unconsciously spoke again, feeling my face burn up under her precise stare.

Monroe tilted her head slightly, "You do understand what CNC involves, Liberty?" she asked, grabbing a piece of the precisely cut bread and setting it on my plate away from my pasta, "You're essentially giving me permission to touch you anytime I please and how I please, unless you say your safe word."

I nodded as I picked up my fork, "I know, but I trust you," I explained, poking at the creamy Rigatoni pasta, "I like being yours to take. I like pleasing you," I whispered honestly, feeling my face burn up from my straightforward words.

Monroe hummed softly, "I like that you want to please me, darling," she said as I lifted my fork to my lips and took a small bite of my pasta, "But this has to please you too."

I glanced up to meet her stare, chewing a few times before swallowing, "I know, but it pleases me to please you," I tried my best to explain, furrowing my brows slightly at the idea of her rejecting me, "Please mommy?" I suddenly whispered, purposely softening my voice as I openly held her stare.

Monroe drew in a visible breath, her blue eyes trailing every inch of my face.

It made my body grow hotter, anticipating what she would say next.

But I knew I needed to do better than say please or use a softer tone.

"I can beg," I suddenly offered, setting my fork down, "I'll get on my knees right now."

"Liberty," Monroe immediately said, gently grabbing my hand before I could stand from my chair, "You don't have to beg darling."

A smile grew on my lips immediately, "Really?" I whispered in excitement, feeling so thankful that I wasn't faced with rejection, "We can try CNC?"

"Yes," Monroe murmured, openly eyeing my face, "If this is something you really want to try, we will."

My smile widened at her words, parting my lips to thank her—

But she wasn't done speaking.

"I want to ensure we understand the boundaries here," she continued as I picked up my fork again, feeling beyond happy that I got my way with this.

"I'm okay with anything, I like giving you the control," I told her, poking my fork into the pasta for another bite.

"So if I touch you in your sleep?" Monroe specifically asked, making my mind drift to a very inappropriate place.

The idea of her touching me in my sleep made my body burn up.

"I would like that," I suddenly determined as I chewed a few times, holding her precise stare.

"If I take without asking," she offered another example.

I smiled slightly as I swallowed my food, "That sounds really attractive of you, Ro Ro," I murmured, eyeing her beautiful face.

Monroe's lips twitched up, "Tell me more about this research you did darling," she said, reaching her hand up—

To my face.

I flinched away before I could process it, my fork clattering against my plate as I unconsciously dropped it.

Monroe's smile vanished, not a trace of it left on her lips as she analyzed my face.

Fuck.

I didn't mean to react so obviously.

"I um don't want to tuck my hair back," I awkwardly whispered, not even bothering to pick my fork up.

My appetite is gone now.

Monroe's precise stare was enough to make my hunger fade, realizing I might've just fucked everything up.

I don't know why I flinched like that.

It just happened so fast and—

"Pull your hair away from your face."

Her words were calm, unnervingly calm, her stare not once drifting from me.

"I don't want to mess it up," I forced out, trying to keep my voice somewhat steady, "Today was wash day."

Monroe didn't react.

She didn't even blink.

There was a certain look on her face, one that made knots grow in my stomach.

"Liberty," she spoke again, leaning away from her chair as she corrected her posture, "We can sit here all night until you comply."

I blinked a few times, remaining silent as I tried to think of my best options.

But suddenly it felt like I was freshly out of choices.

Monroe knows something is up.

She won't stop here.

I hesitantly lifted my hands up, unconsciously holding my breath as I reached for my soft curls.

Then I slowly guided them away from my face, my heart pounding heavily in my ears as I observed her face.

There was nothing at first.

Her expression was neutral.

Then her eyes darted up, zoning in on my temple that I knew was fucking swollen.

Monroe drew in a visible breath.

But she didn't say anything.

She didn't need to.

The way her jaw visibly tensed and her hand tightened on the table.

She stared impassively at me, not saying a single word.

The look on her face, her silence—it terrified me.

I think it was the first time I could say she looked angry.

Yet she hadn't said a fucking word.

How is that?

"Monroe," I immediately said when she stood sharply from her chair, harshly scraping it against the floors.

She was silent, making me unconsciously stand from my chair to follow her.

"Monroe," I repeated, following close behind her as she walked over to the kitchen island.

And grabbed her phone.

Fuck.

"Monroe, no," I rushed out, unconsciously grabbing her arm, "It was an accident."

She still didn't say anything.

Instead, she focused entirely on her phone.

I slid under her arms before I could think it through, my body pressed to hers as I blocked her view of her phone.

"It was an accident," I repeated again as I stared up at her.

But all her eyes could focus on was the swollen knot at my temple.

She couldn't even meet my eyes.

"Monroe please," I whispered, reaching up to gently cup her face in my hands.

Her expression was blank—like she wasn't mentally here with me right now.

And it was fucking scary.

"Monroe," I said again, softer this time, my thumbs gently brushing her cheekbones, "I'm okay."

Nothing.

Not a blink.

Just that same terrifying calm that I knew meant something was boiling underneath the surface.

Something fatal.

"Please don't harm her," I suddenly whispered, hoping she would finally meet my stare.

All she did was stare at my swollen forehead.

"Please Monroe," I spoke again, gently guiding her head downward.

Then she finally met my stare.

Her eyes were colder now.

Detached.

Like she was calculating something behind them.

It was fucking scary, but all I could do was wrap my arms around her neck—

And hug her.

She was stiff against me, her breathing controlled as I hugged her tighter.

It felt like she was trapped in her mind away from me.

But behind her unnervingly calm expression, I could feel the anger.

I unraveled my arms from her neck, wrapping them around her waist to pull her closer.

I slid my hands under her sweater, caressing her soft skin.

"Breathe," I softly whispered, pressing my hands firmly against her lower back.

There was nothing.

I wondered how I would even get her out of this mindset.

She's so tense against me, unwilling to hug me back.

But then suddenly—

She sighed roughly.

Her phone fell to the ground with a thud, pulling me closer by my waist.

I immediately relaxed in her arms, nuzzling closer as I caressed her back.

Monroe was still tense, but as the minutes passed, she slowly loosened against me.

It felt nice to actually calm her down for once.

Even if she hadn't spoken a word to me yet.

It was odd to witness her silent like this—entirely shut off from me.

Seconds turned into minutes as I stood there, hoping to calm her down more.

Nothing was said.

Not even as she pulled away from me, silently picking up her phone before grabbing my hand.

I didn't say anything as she guided me out of the kitchen and down the hallway, my heart pounding in my ears.

It was like some unspoken rule to be quiet right now.

It felt like she needed silence.

Monroe led me upstairs, down the hallway to her bedroom.

We walked into her attached bathroom, where she guided me back against the sink—lifting me onto the counter.

I silently watched her open one of the cabinets, grabbing the first aid kit.

I let out a soft sigh as she settled between my legs, resting my hands on her shoulders as she opened the kit.

The first thing she did was cleanse my skin, gently wiping away the makeup covering it as I tried not to wince.

I gripped her tighter, watching her brows subtly furrow the more she wiped off my foundation and concealer.

Then she carefully applied ointment to my tender skin, her jaw growing tighter and tighter as she looked at the swollen bruise.

It made me grow tense, noticing her calmness slowly slipping away.

Especially when she glanced away from my bruised skin, unable to physically look in my direction.

"Monroe," I hesitantly broke the silence, noticing how stiff she was.

She didn't say anything.

She just remained leaning over my lap, her hands on either side of my legs, tightly gripping the counter.

Then she out a long deep breath.

"I'm going to end her."

It was the first thing she had said in the last forty-five minutes.

Her words were lowered, holding nothing but a threat.

Her tone... her voice—it was chilling.

"It was an accident baby. Please don't do anything," I said softly, gently running my hands across her tense shoulders.

"Elaborate," was all Monroe said.

But before I could actually explain, she lifted her head up, her eyes locked on the swollen bruise rather than my eyes.

"How does one get a bruise on accident, Liberty?" she asked, her voice lowered with restraint, "Stop saying you're okay. Stop claiming it was an accident. Stop defending her."

I nodded quickly, "Okay, I'm sorry," I whispered, gently wrapping my hands around the side of her neck.

Monroe sighed, looking away from me again, "You shouldn't be the one apologizing," she pointed out, stepping back from me and making my hands fall away from her.

"I know," I said with furrowed brows, unsure how to diffuse this situation.

How to take care of her.

"Tell me how it happened," Monroe suddenly said, rolling her shoulders back as she reluctantly met my stare again.

I blinked almost rapidly, now realizing how bad this story was.

And that it might... make everything worse?

But the last thing I should do is lie again.

Fuck.

"She uh thought I was seeing someone and I said it wasn't serious so she..." I trailed off, eyeing the terrifyingly calm expression on Monroe's face, "She tried to kiss me and I pushed her away, so she pushed me back, and the couch was behind me so I fell over it, but—"

"I need a moment," Monroe cut me short for once.

She had never interrupted me before, but I genuinely could see her patience wearing thin.

I rapidly shook my head when she grabbed her phone from the counter.

"Monroe don't do anything," I said, knowing exactly why she grabbed her phone.

She didn't respond.

She just stood there, staring at the screen like she was weighing what version of herself to give in to.

"Monroe," I tried again, sliding off the counter and reaching for her hand.

She flinched, subtly, but enough that I respectfully pulled away.

"I'm not going to hurt her," she finally said, placing the phone back down with a carefulness that didn't match the look in her eyes, "But I will make her life as difficult as possible."

It was a verdict, not a threat.

"Please don't," I whispered, even though I knew it was pointless.

She had her mind made up.

But Kaia already goes through enough with her dad.

Monroe's eyes darted to the bruise on my head, openly staring at it for a moment.

She met my stare seconds later, taking a step toward me and closing the space between us.

It made me draw in a deep breath, holding her dark blue eyes.

"I'm trying to stay calm for you, Liberty," she said, her voice lowered in a way that made shivers roll down my spine, "But don't ask me to pretend this is forgivable."

I didn't have a response.

Or at least I couldn't think of one.

Not as I stared so deeply into her eyes.

"So I need a moment," she added calmly, taking a step back from me, "I'll figure out how I want to handle Kaia," she emphasized.

I let out a deep sigh, watching as she walked out of the bathroom—leaving me entirely alone.

I stood there for a moment, replaying the conversation we just had.

How terribly this all went.

Seconds passed as I blankly stared at the wall.

Until I finally found the courage to take a step forward.

And then another.

I walked out of the bathroom, past the empty bedroom to head downstairs.

I forgot that I left my bag in the car, so I decided to bring it inside.

The house was eerily quiet as I carried my bag up to her room, setting it by the bed.

It felt odd to wait in her room, plus my phone was downstairs, so I decided to head back down there and grab it.

Even if I felt hesitant.

But Monroe wasn't anywhere to be found.

Not in the living room that I had yet to step foot in.

Or in the clean kitchen.

Everything was still on the dining room table.

The dish of rigatoni and focaccia bread.

Then suddenly, I caught sight of her figure.

She was on the back patio, facing away from me with her phone pressed to her ear.

Nerves burned in my lower stomach as I wordlessly stared at her for a moment, wishing I could hear the current conversation she was having on the phone.

But I knew I should leave her be at this point.

She's clearly irritated, and I contributed to it by lying again.

I decided to clean up the table for her, hoping it would help soothe her nerves.

It at least helped soothe my own guilt for lying to her again.

I knew she had her own way of doing things, so I didn't do too much.

Like loading the dishwasher for her when I noticed the direct placement of things.

I didn't want to cross any boundaries.

So I searched for something to put the leftovers in.

Once I found two glass bowls with matching lids, I carefully packed the pasta and bread away.

But I decided to leave the bowls on the counter, given how organized the fridge looked.

I washed out the dishes next, leaving them in the sink with the silverware, so she could load them in the dishwasher as she pleased.

Then I walked over to the table, sliding the chairs in and ensuring it all looked neat for her.

Monroe walked in from the patio just as I finished, gently closing the door behind her.

She zoned in on the table first, noticing the bareness of it.

Then she glanced over to me.

Her blue eyes were softer, her jaw not as tight, and her shoulders visibly relaxed.

Whatever she handled on that phone call, calmed her more than I could.

"I cleaned up," I said, deciding to speak first as she walked further into the house.

"Cleaning is the last thing you should be doing," Monroe said, approaching me as I stood by the kitchen island, "But thank you, darling."

I forced a smile when she gently grabbed my hand, pulling me into her.

"You're welcome," I whispered as she ran her arms around my waist.

"Let's get you in bed," she murmured, leaning down to press a featherlight kiss to my forehead, "You need to take it easy right now."

I remained silent, staring so deeply into her eyes.

She felt warm again.

Her body is so soft against mine.

"Monroe," I whispered, staring into her blue eyes.

She kept her attention locked on me, not bothering to glance at my obvious bruise.

"Yes darling?" she asked, her voice lowered between us as our faces remained centimeters apart.

I reached up and gently wrapped my hands around her soft neck—preparing myself for what I planned to ask next.

"What did you do?"

My words were lowered, filled with hesitation as I stared so deeply into her eyes.

"I inflicted small inconveniences," Monroe said, reaching up to gently cup my face in her hand, "She'll be denied entry into all clubs and bars in Washington. Her social accounts have been flagged. And I plan to speak with the university tomorrow."

I blinked a few times, processing her words.

Kaia is going to go insane from being denied into clubs and bars—much less having her socials taken down.

Her Snapchat has such a high Snap score—and all her memories.

She even hit ten thousand followers on Instagram, which she was so happy about.

We even celebrated it together.

Tomorrow is going to be a hard day for her.

"Don't call the university," I suddenly said, determining Monroe had done more than enough, "Those things alone will break her."

I feel so bad... I know Kaia didn't mean it.

It was just a really heated moment.

"I don't want her at the same university as you, much less the same state," Monroe said, her tone softened as she leaned down closer to me.

I didn't have a chance to respond.

Not with her lips pressed gently to mine.

I let out a soft sigh as I kissed her back, even if it felt like her way of distracting me.

But her lips were so soft, and the way she gripped my waist made my body curve deeper into hers.

It felt like this was always where I was meant to be.

In her arms that wrapped around me like some shield.

"Don't call the university, Monroe," I said against her lips, desperately trying to focus on the topic at hand.

Monroe slid her tongue past my lips in response, tilting my head further back and opening me up to her entirely.

I whined, firmly pushing her shoulders as she kissed me deeper and deeper.

Until I gave in to her entirely, kissing her back just as deeply.

The sounds of our connected lips and heavy breaths echoed around us—wrapping my arms around her neck as I pressed my body to hers.

"I picked up something for you today," Monroe murmured against my lips, breaking the kiss to meet my stare.

My chest rose and fell with each breath I took, trying to catch my breath just as she was.

"What is it?" I asked, finding somewhat of my composure.

Monroe pulled back from me, reaching over to open the cabinet beside the shiny fridge.

She grabbed a sleek glass jar—

Filled with BlowPop's.

"Monroe," I whispered, a smile growing on my lips as she opened the jar.

I couldn't believe she had gone to the lengths of organizing the lollipops in their own little jar.

Much less buying them for me.

"You really didn't have to," I said as she grabbed the cherry-flavored lollipop, "I still have some left from the bag you got me."

Ever since she got me that bag of lollipops, I always have one whenever I'm doing schoolwork.

Even during class.

Zion asked for one, so now I even bring him one too.

"I prefer to keep the things you like here," Monroe said, opening the lollipop before holding it to my lips.

"Thank you, Ro Ro," I murmured, happily parting my lips for her.

"You're welcome," she said, gently sliding the lollipop into my mouth, "My beautiful girl."

I hummed happily, sucking down on the lollipop as Monroe's stare diverted to my temple, openly staring at the swollen bruise.

"Let's apply more ointment and bandage that up," she suggested, eyeing the swollen bruise more carefully, "Perhaps a doctor's appointment too. I want to ensure you're fully okay."

I smiled slightly as I slipped the lollipop from my mouth, "I feel fine, I swear," I said, finding her concern so cute.

"Let's allow a doctor to decide that," Monroe said, leaving me no room to say no.

But I could bargain.

I think?

"I'll go if you don't call the university tomorrow," I suddenly said, circling back to the Kaia topic.

"Oh?" she murmured, tilting her head slightly.

But even I could notice the edges of her lips twitching up, amused by my proposition.

"And no more small inconveniences—what you've done will ruin her year," I pointed out, sliding the lollipop back into my mouth.

Monroe's amusement grew, "Her year?" she clarified, her lips twitching up further, "Oh you have it all wrong darling."

I didn't have a chance to respond, drawing in a deep breath when she leaned past my face and into my ear.

"I want to ruin her existence," she softly whispered, her warm breath tickling my skin.

I remained wordlessly silent as I sucked down harder on my lollipop, trying to differentiate my confused feelings.

Her words scared me—for Kaia at least.

But the way she said them, how she whispered them so delicately like she couldn't possibly hurt a fly.

It turned me on.

"But I'll refrain," Monroe suddenly spoke again, leaning away from my ear, "For the sake of you seeing a doctor."

I suddenly smiled, slipping the lollipop from my mouth, "So I get my way?" I murmured, staring up into her blue eyes.

"Good girls get anything they want darling," Monroe reminded me, making my smile widen.

"I'm a very good girl too," I whispered, leaning up to kiss her.

"Aside from lying," Monroe said, leaning back just when my lips grazed hers, "Don't try it again, especially with something of this nature."

I nodded immediately, "Yes mommy," I said, wrapping my arms around her neck as I held the lollipop between my fingers.

"Good girl," she softly whispered, openly eyeing my face, "Because your punishments can always get worse sweetheart."

I stared at her wordlessly, nodding a few times as I tried not to envision what worse pertained to.

I thought we already hit the worst of the worst, but apparently not.

"It won't happen again," I said softly, leaning up to press my lips to hers.

Monroe hummed in response, kissing me back as she gently grabbed my waist.

I parted my lips as soon as her tongue smoothed across my bottom lip, slipping into my mouth.

Her lips twitched up against mine, "You taste like cherries," she softly whispered, making goosebumps prickle my skin.

"Better than peanut butter," I teased, smiling like a fucking idiot as I kissed her lips again.

"Anything tastes good on you," Monroe didn't hesitate to say, naturally making my body burn up from her genuine words, "Now let's go upstairs," she murmured, pulling back slightly from me.

I sighed dramatically, eyeing her soft lips, "Right now?" I asked in a whisper.

"Yes, right now," she said, her lips twitching up slightly, "You need more ointment and a bandage. Perhaps ice for the swelling."

I pursed my lips together into a fake frown, unwrapping one of my arms from her neck, "But I feel so much better—kissing you really helps," I purposely said, sliding the cherry lollipop I held between my fingers, into my mouth again.

Monroe's smile grew more amused, "Oh really?" she said, gently grabbing my free hand, "Tell me about it during our walk upstairs."

I jokingly rolled my eyes as she pulled me along, even if I found her efforts insanely smooth.

I felt content as she guided me upstairs, determining that I was okay with this outcome.

Monroe only inflicted minor inconveniences, nothing more.

Kaia would be sad, but she'll be okay.

That's all that matters.

And my swelling seemed to have gone down so that's nice too.

Monroe also added more ointment and a bandage over the bruise as I happily finished my lollipop, throwing the stick away when I was done.

Then she grabbed an ice pack from downstairs to help with the swelling while I got in bed.

Within minutes, she was back upstairs with the ice pack, sliding into the bed with me as I carefully laid my head in her lap.

As I got comfortable, Monroe pulled the covers over me and gently placed the ice pack on my bruised temple.

The coldness felt relieving—and staring up at her beautiful face was definitely a plus.

I asked her random what-if scenarios that I insisted she answer, unconsciously closing my eyes when she began caressing my face.

It was such a calm moment between us.

One that felt so nice after the evening I had.