Marnie had never felt so aware of her own heartbeat.
All morning, the condo felt different—warmer, quieter, and strangely charged, as though the walls themselves remembered the kiss they shared earlier. Even the air felt thicker, heavier with something unspoken between them.
She tried to distract herself by folding laundry in the bedroom, but her hands trembled each time she remembered the way Michael’s lips had felt against hers—slow, warm, careful, but filled with a depth she wasn’t prepared for.
She pressed a palm to her chest, trying to steady the erratic beat beneath her ribs.
What was happening to her?
Why did she miss the way he held her the moment he let go?
Before she could think further, a knock sounded softly against the half-open bedroom door.
“Marnie?” His voice was gen
