He touches my cheek, and his finger swipes under my eye. “You’re beautiful.” I slip off the counter. My muscles quake. “I need a minute,” I say in a low voice. He inclines his head, and I slink away to the bathroom. It takes longer than I would expect to put my pieces back together. My resolve goes here, my dignity goes there. Inch by inch, I rebuild who I was. Who knew sex would destroy me?
