Mad Love

by Willow Aster

I’ve stared at him for hours, captivated, and when Sadie falls asleep in the chair next to his bed, I cry. I can’t believe I’ve missed this much time with him.

First finger: “But your sister kept my child from me.” Second finger: “You are not his mother.” Third finger: “And I’m not playing any more fucking games here.”

“Because you’re a rare kind of beautiful, Sadie,” he says. “I’ve never seen eyes like yours, violet and luminous and haunting. Your mouth is what supermodels pay their plastic surgeons to have.” He looks me over and my entire body starts thrumming. “But then you’re also smart, kind, unassuming…and you love with your whole heart. Any guy would be crazy not to hold onto you with everything he had.”

God, when she smiles, the whole world looks brighter. It’s blinding and makes my chest feel weird. I try to rub away the ache in my chest, frowning.