Close Quarters

by Kandi Steiner

“I think it’s important to love yourself — even in the selfish way — because you’re the only person truly looking out for yourself. Even if someone cares about you, a friend or family member, at the end of the day?” He shook his head. “Their life goes on, regardless of how you choose to live yours.”

“I think it’s important to put yourself first sometimes. Do what makes you happy. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes to whatever you love, even if others don’t understand or support it. Choose yourself every now and then, because if you don’t, then who else will?”

“The one where you pretend like you don’t want me,” he husked, and under the water, a warm palm wrapped around my waist. I inhaled a stiff breath, shaking violently at the touch, my eyelids fluttering as he slipped that hand around to my lower back and pulled me closer, into him, until we were flush against each other and I could feel his desire pressed against my core that ached for him in return. “And I pretend like you’re not already mine.”

“I mean, look at you.” “I can’t,” Theo said, his eyes glimmering. “I’m too busy looking at you.”

Point out the fact that he treats you like you’re nothing to him when I’m dying to treat you like you’re everything to me?”