I pulled my car into the dark, echoing concrete of my building's parking garage.

  "Alright, let’s take the elevator right over there," I said smoothly, killing the engine.

  I stepped out, walked around the hood, and opened the passenger door for her. Gabriel stepped out, clutching her backpack straps tightly to her chest. Her beautiful face was painted with obvious anxiety. Her brown eyes darted nervously around the empty garage, her eyebrows lifted in apprehension. She caught me looking at her and immediately blushed, dropping her gaze to the concrete floor.

  God, she's so cute, my ego preened, feeding off the validation. She looks exactly like a scared, cornered puppy.

  "Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my voice low and gentle.

  She just nodded tightly.

  "Alright. Just follow me." I fshed her a warm, practiced smile.

  We walked toward the elevator bank. Once the metal doors slid shut, sealing us inside, I noticed her posture go completely rigid. Her hands were fidgeting endlessly with her sleeves. She looked exactly like prey being dragged willingly up to the predator's nest.

  "Gaby, why do you look so nervous? I'm not going to bite."

  "Gaby?" She looked up at me, blinking in surprise.

  Oh fuck! Oh fuck! I slipped! My internal monologue panicked. I had broken the pickup-artist rule—I used a nickname before establishing physical intimacy.

  "Ah, sorry," I quickly rubbed the back of my neck, pying the role of the embarrassed, harmless guy. "I just thought it was easier to call you that instead of Gabriel."

  She giggled, her tense shoulders dropping an inch. "It’s okay! My parents usually call me Gaby, too. You can call me Gaby if you want."

  Fuhh!!! Yes! A lucky save!

  "Alright, Gaby it is! Or maybe I should call you El?"

  "Gasp! Please don’t! That’s my strict nanny's name!" she warned, a genuine smile breaking across her face.

  "Then Gabriel it is."

  She reached out and pyfully pinched the fabric of my shirt sleeve. "You just made me sound like a middle-aged cashier at Walmart."

  We both ughed. The heavy, awkward tension in the elevator completely evaporated. My charm was working perfectly.

  The Fracture.

  The elevator doors chimed open. We walked down the silent hallway, and I unlocked the heavy door to my loft.

  "Welcome to my humble abode," I announced, pushing the door open.

  She stepped past the entryway and down into the massive, open-concept living room. Her eyes widened as she took in the exposed brick, the high ceilings, and the expensive furniture.

  Shit! Look at that fine ass, my manic, toxic voice suddenly screamed in my head. I want to grab it! I should push her against the wall right now, spread her legs, and bury my face in her neck. And then—

  "Daeron?"

  I blinked, the violent, predatory fantasy instantly vanishing. Shit! Did she notice me staring? Fuck! Py it cool! I'm just horny!

  "Uh—yeah?" I asked, shoving my hands into my pockets.

  "Are you alright?" She turned fully around to face me. The wonder in her eyes was completely gone, repced by deep concern. "You look incredibly sad... ever since you put the key in the door. Is everything alright?" She stepped closer, her brown eyes carefully searching my face.

  What? I’m sad? No! No! No! I’m horny! I brought her here to hook up! I’m not sad!! … Am I?

  "No, it’s nothing," I lied, forcing a wide, entirely fake smile onto my face. "Come on, let me show you the mini-library."

  I led her around the corner. When she saw the massive bookshelves and floor cushions, her jaw literally dropped.

  "Dios Mio! You really do have a mini-library!" She looked back at me, her eyes sparkling with innocent excitement. "Can I?"

  "Sure, go ahead. I’ll go grab us some snacks."

  She rushed toward the shelves, trailing her fingers over the spines of the heavy books like a kid in a candy store. I retreated to the kitchen counter to grab some chips, but her words were echoing violently in my skull.

  Gaby said I look sad. I didn’t feel sad. I felt numb. Why the hell would my face look sad?

  No! You’re not sad! You’re just horny! Look at her! That’s an easy target you should bang right now! Go!

  "Gaby, what do you want to drink? Coffee? Hot chocote? Beer?" I called out across the loft.

  She didn't respond; she was too absorbed in reading the back cover of a novel. My hands hovered over the cabinets.

  I should make hot chocote, right? Because Jessica loved it so much. If Jessica loved it, Gaby will love it too.

  No! Grab the Tequi! my manic voice shrieked. Make her drunk! Bang her senselessly and forget the pain!

  SHUT UP!! I closed my eyes tightly, gripping my own hair and pulling hard.

  Fuck! What’s wrong with my brain?!

  I took a deep, shuddering breath and forced my hands to move. Muscle memory completely took over. I pulled the cocoa powder from the pantry and began preparing the hot chocote on the stove. The rich, sweet aroma began to drift through the cold kitchen.

  Instantly, a brutal, visceral hallucination hit me. The smell was identical to the mornings before she left. In my mind, I could perfectly see Jessica wandering into the kitchen, wearing my oversized t-shirt, compining about the cold. She would snatch the warm mug right out of my hands, give me a quick, sticky kiss, and carry it over to the balcony.

  Please... my chest physically caved in, the agony returning in full force. Please, God… come back here, Jess. I miss you so fucking much.

  "Daeron?"

  Gaby’s soft, timid voice shattered the memory. She walked slowly into the kitchen, stopping a few feet away from me. "Why are you crying?"

  "Huh?" I reached up, my fingers brushing against my cheek. I felt a wet, cold sensation. Tears were steadily streaming down my face, dripping off my jaw onto my shirt.

  Why didn't I even realize I was crying? My body and my brain were completely disconnected.

  "Are you alright?" she asked, stepping closer.

  "Yeah.. yeah! I'm sorry, I just... I caught a speck of dust in my eye," I lied pathetically, wiping my face raw with the back of my hand. "Come on! I made you some hot chocote."

  I grabbed the tray, quickly carrying the mugs and snacks over to the low table in the mini-library.

  Gaby sat down gracefully on the floor cushion across from me. She didn't reach for the books or the hot chocote. She just looked deeply into my red, swollen eyes.

  "If there’s something you want to share, Daeron... I’m right here," she said softly. "Sharing it with someone will lift the burden off your shoulders, you know. You don't have to hide it. You can count on me whenever you’re ready." She gave me a warm, deeply empathetic smile.

  "Thanks, Gaby. Really." I stared down at the floorboards, completely ashamed of what I had almost done to her.

  She nodded, gracefully letting the heavy topic drop. "Also... look what I found hiding behind the cssics." She reached behind her back and dropped a thin, obnoxious paperback onto the table. 'How to Impress a Girl on the First Date'. "Really, Daeron? You actually read this kind of stuff?" She giggled, pointing at the cheesy cover.

  "What?? No!" I gasped, my face burning with genuine embarrassment. Nikoy must have hidden that there months ago as a prank. "I swear to God, I didn't even know that was on the shelf!"

  She ughed out loud, a bright, musical sound. "Yeah, yeah. Sure, I totally believe you, champ."

  We spent the rest of the evening sitting on the cushions, roasting each other mercilessly. I quickly realized she wasn't just a quiet nerd; she was actually incredibly witty and pyful. After the banter died down, we actually opened our textbooks and studied together in comfortable silence. When the city lights came on outside the windows, I packed up her things and safely drove her back to her dorm.

  Bah! You absolute fool!! You missed your chance, idiot!!! my toxic internal monologue raged as I watched her walk safely into her building.

  Shut up. Just shut the fuck up, I thought, resting my head against the steering wheel. I was so exhausted. I didn't want to manipute anyone. I just wanted to go home and sleep.

  **

  The harsh morning sunlight pierced my eyelids, forcing me awake.

  I groaned, rolling onto my back. My neck cracked in protest. Sleeping on the stiff leather couch for three nights in a row was completely destroying my spine. But I refused to sleep in the bedroom. I couldn't do it. I wasn’t ready to ruin the faint, sweet scent of vanil perfume that was still clinging to her pillowcases. I wasn't ready to y in the center of that massive mattress and face the cold, empty space beside me. The bedroom was a shrine to a ghost, and I couldn't bear to step inside.

  Fuck! Why am I so pathetic?

  Bzzt! My phone vibrated in the pocket of my sweatpants. I pulled it out, squinting at the bright screen. It was Gaby.

  Gaby: Morning! You don’t have css today, right? Can I come over to your pce ter?

  Me: Sure! My door is always open, Gaby.

  Gaby: Great! I’ll drop by ter after css. I only have one in the morning today. See you soon!

  I let out a long, heavy exhale. Well, at least I wouldn't be rotting in isotion today.

  Distraction, I reminded myself. Keep moving. I forced myself up and spent the next few hours aggressively cleaning the loft. I scrubbed the counters, threw away the empty beer bottles, and desperately tried to erase the depression from the room. Once the pce looked decent, I grabbed a cold beer, sat out on the balcony cushions, and blindly strummed my guitar until the doorbell finally rang.

  I unlocked the heavy door and pulled it open.

  "Hey!" Gaby greeted me cheerfully.

  She was wearing a fitted white tank top and denim shorts, her dark hair tied up in a messy bun. But my eyes didn't register her outfit. My gaze dropped instantly to her hands. She was holding a cardboard drink carrier and two foil-wrapped hotdogs.

  All the air rushed out of my lungs.

  My vision blurred. Why? Why is she doing this? The universe was pying a sick, twisted joke on me. It was the exact same meal. It was the exact same scenario I had walked into on the day my entire world shattered. Coming home. Holding hotdogs. A silent, empty apartment.

  "Daeron? Why are you just standing there staring?" Gaby asked, her smile faltering slightly.

  I blinked hard, violently forcing the memory back down into the dark corners of my brain. "Ah, nothing," I lied, clearing my throat. "It’s just… unusual to see you without your big college hoodie on."

  "Well, it’s a really hot day today, you know!" she giggled brightly, completely unaware of the panic attack she had just triggered. "Can we eat these over in the mini-library?"

  "Ah, sure. No problem!" I forced a wide, charming smile onto my face, closing the door behind her. "You really love that corner, huh?"

  "I love it! You have really good taste in room arrangement," she complimented, walking gracefully toward the floor cushions.

  Look at that ass! Come on! my manic, predatory inner voice immediately supplied, desperate to hijack my brain to avoid the pain. She’s sexier than Jessica anyway! Just unleash it! Take her right here!

  Shut the fuck up! I screamed at myself.

  "What do you want to drink, Gaby?" I asked, putting the kitchen isnd between us so I could breathe.

  "Umm, anything will do!"

  "I have some cold beverages. Do you want a beer? Co? Cold water?"

  "Co! It’s the perfect pairing with a hotdog!"

  "Yes, ma’am!" I grabbed a can of co and another beer, walking over to the mini-library and sitting on the cushion opposite her.

  "Here’s your hotdog! I bought it from the cart near campus. It tastes amazing, you know, I go there all the time," she giggled, taking a delicate bite of her food. Her lips looked incredibly soft, and she looked objectively beautiful sitting in the afternoon sunlight.

  But I couldn't eat. I just stared blindly at the foil wrapper in my hands. The dissociation was taking over.

  Don’t you want to taste it? my broken mind whispered. Does it taste like back then?

  I closed my eyes tightly, fighting a wave of nausea. I couldn't look at Gaby. Whenever I looked at her, my mind slipped. I stared at the hotdog, agonizing over how perfect this afternoon would be if Jessica were still around. It would be her sitting on that cushion. She would be stealing my fries, arguing with me about which vendor had the best relish, filling the loft with her loud, infectious ughter.

  "Daeron?" I flinched, snapping back to the present. "Do you not like hotdogs?"

  "No, I love them!" I blurted out. I immediately took a massive, desperate bite, just to give my mouth something to do besides frown.

  The taste hit my tongue, and suddenly, my body realized it was completely starved. I hadn't eaten a solid meal in over twenty-four hours. I began to inhale the food like a wild animal, tearing through the bun in seconds.

  Gaby giggled, a sweet, musical sound. "Are you really that hungry?" She pointed a delicate finger at my face. "Look, you’ve got mustard and ketchup all over your cheek and chin."

  I stopped chewing, suddenly humiliated. I had eaten half the hotdog in three bites. She pulled a soft tissue from her pocket and handed it across the low table. "Here."

  I quickly scrubbed at my mouth.

  She giggled again. "Look, you missed a spot. You still have a stain right there on your chin." She leaned forward across the table, her small, warm hand reaching out to gently wipe my jawline with her thumb.

  Jess….

  I froze. I looked deeply into her brown eyes. As she felt my gaze, her faint smile slowly faded. She looked back into my eyes, her hand lingering on my jaw, the air between us suddenly thick and heavy with unspoken tension.

  Touch her! the manic voice commanded.

  My hand moved on pure, blind instinct. I reached up, my fingers gently tracing the smooth skin of her jaw. I slid my palm around to the back of her neck, my fingers tangling in her dark hair. I slowly, deliberately pulled her forward until her soft lips and warm breath were hovering just a millimeter away from mine.

  I miss you, Jess.

  I closed my eyes and pressed my lips against hers.

  She responded instantly, kissing me back with a gentle, eager warmth. Her breath hitched, growing heavy against my skin. I slid my hands down to her waist, pulling her entirely across the low table and into my p. Her arms immediately flew up, circling tightly around my neck. I could feel the rapid, frantic fluttering of her heartbeat pressing against my chest. Slowly… slowly… I pulled her deeper into the illusion.

  I miss you so fucking much, babe.

  My lips began to devour hers, turning the gentle kiss into something desperate and hungry. I dug my hands into the soft, full curve of her hips, anchoring her to me. Her breathing became ragged, and she held onto me tighter, completely surrendering to the physical escation. A soft, breathy whimper leaked out from her parted lips, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my groin.

  My hands moved up, slipping under the hem of her tank top. I dragged my warm palms up her stomach, my thumbs brushing against the ce of her bra. My lips left her mouth, venturing down to kiss the sensitive skin of her neck and colrbone. The soft moans escaping her lips grew louder, echoing in the quiet mini-library.

  I miss you, Jess. I really miss you. I pretended it was ginger hair in my hands. I pretended it was vanil perfume in the air.

  "Ahn.. Daeron..."

  Her voice shattered the hallucination. It was higher. Softer. It wasn't Jessica.

  I froze, lifting my head. I looked down at Gaby. Her face was flushed deep red, her eyes heavy with undeniable arousal and trust. She was looking at me like I was the only guy in the world. She had no idea she was just a ghost in a haunted house.

  I swallowed the sickening guilt rising in my throat. I couldn't stop now. I needed the distraction too badly.

  "Let’s move to the bed," I whispered.