SHAPES UNSPOKEN

- 10 -

HAPPY READING 🥰

Annabelle Inniss

Today is Sunday.

Yesterday was nothing like I imagined it would be. We never stepped outside. We never explored the city. Instead, we unpacked something far heavier than luggage — my past.

Sean held me for hours after I broke down. He didn’t push. He didn’t rush. He didn’t take advantage of the vulnerability I handed him.

He just held me. I cannot be falling this fast and this soon.

We haven’t left the hotel since he arrived Friday night. He planned for us to go out tonight since he leaves early in the morning. I wanted to take him to the marketplace, let him taste fresh mangoes and sapodilla, let him feel the noise and life of Georgetown properly. But emotions changed everything.

I haven’t slept in my apartment since he got here.

Last night when I told him I was leaving, he pulled me back onto the bed and tickled me until I surrendered. True to his word, he respected every boundary. We talked until almost sunrise again.

It’s too early for me to feel like this.

But I do.

I haven’t even told Jinette about us yet. It feels wrong because he’s still legally married… yet when he looks at me, when he calls me beautiful lady, when he holds my hand like I’m something precious… it feels right.

After yesterday… after my first real release… my emotions spilled out. He didn’t mock me. Didn’t act superior. Didn’t push for more. Even when I offered myself to him, he refused.

That did something to me.

I don’t know Cindy, but I don’t understand how she walked away from a man like this.

He’s always touching me — innocent touches. A hand on my thigh. Fingers laced through mine. An arm around my waist. And every time he does, I feel seen.

If loving him is wrong…

I don’t want to be right.

He’s across the room now at the small desk, typing away on his laptop. His brow furrowed. Focused. Responsible.

I should call Jinette.

Before I can dial her, my phone rings.

Mom.

“Hello, Mom. How are you?”

“I have good news!” she sings.

“I’m listening.”

“Your sister Ariel is getting married!”

I scream before I can stop myself.

Sean’s head snaps up, eyes wide, walking toward me instantly.

“Calm down, child! You’ll burst my eardrum!” Mom laughs.

“Mom that’s amazing! When? Has she picked a date?”

“Is that a man’s voice I heard?”

I freeze.

I press my hand over the phone and glare at Sean. He sits beside me, clearly enjoying this.

“Mom, that’s just my friend.”

“What kind of friend?”

“Mom.”

“Annabelle, are you seeing someone?”

“Can we not do this right now?”

“Child, you never bring anyone home. Are you a lesbian?”