Brian woke up around four a.m. and reached for Abby, but all he felt were cold sheets. He sat up and turned on the lamp next to the bed, squinting at the bright light. He was alone. Brian pulled on his boxers before getting out of bed and going downstairs. A huge relief swept over him when he saw Abby sitting in the window, wrapped up in a blanket, staring out into the early morning sky. He walked over and squeezed into the seat in front of her. Brian watched her as she watched the darkness.

“You okay?” he asked in a quiet voice.

“Yeah. I woke up a little while ago and couldn’t go back to sleep. I came down here so that I wouldn’t wake you.”

“You should have stayed.”

“Do you think we did the right thing? I mean, is this something to regret later?”

Brian moved around to where he was sitting behind her and pulled her close to him. “Abby, never in my entire life will I regret this night or any other moment that I’ve spent with you.”

Abby turned her head and planted a soft kiss on his jaw. “Neither will I.”

“Come back to bed?”

“Yeah, okay.”

***

Brian woke up again around nine. Abby was still lying beside him. He put his arms around her, pulling her close, just making sure that she was real. Last night seemed like a dream to him. But now he was awake, and she was still there, so he knew it had to be real.

“Abby,” Brian said, planting soft kisses on her neck. She groaned and buried her face in the pillow. “Come on, wake up.”

“Weren’t you the one who, not too long ago, told me to come back to bed?”

“Yeah, so?”

“And now you want me to get up?”

“Uh huh.”

She pulled the covers over her head. “You need to make up your mind.” She meant that in more ways than Brian knew about.

“Hey, no you don’t.” Brian tried to pull the covers back down, but she wouldn’t let go. “But my mind is made up now. Please? You really don’t want me to bed, do you? I can be irresistible when I beg.”

Abby sat up. “Ha! Don’t make me laugh so early.”

“You hungry? I can make breakfast.”

“More cinnamon rolls out of a can?”

“No, I can make other things. Besides… I don’t have any of those.”

“Okay. You go get started and I’ll be down in a minute.”

Brian gave her a kiss before getting up and leaving the room. Abby got up and went into the bathroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She was still tired after staying awake for most of the night. She splashed water on her face, and her eyes began to burn. “No. I will not cry. I will not cry in front of him.”

Abby finished the rest of her business in the bathroom then went down to the kitchen where Brian was busy making eggs. He looked over his shoulder. “Hey. I hope you like scrambled, and there’s coffee sitting on the table.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Thank you,” she said, sitting down and taking a sip of her coffee. “You know what? I’m not really that hungry so eggs and toast would be plenty.”

“Are you sure? I can make anything you want.”

“I’m sure. I wouldn’t want to waste anything. Plus, I need to head on home after we eat…”

“What? Why?”

“I need a shower.”

“I have a shower.”

“I need my clothes, and I know you don’t have any of those.”

Brian sighed, taking two plates out of the cabinet. They sat in silence while they ate. Brian knew something was wrong, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Abby was afraid that if she spoke, her emotions would get the best of her. When they finished eating, she helped him with the few dishes before getting her things ready to leave. Brian walked her to her car, gave her a quick kiss, and told her that he’d call her later. She kissed him again then left.