When It Ends

by Penelope Black

And not for the first time, I fucking hate her for making me hate her.

I let her slip through my fingers all those years ago, and I’ll be damned if I let it happen a second time.

“Hey, Cher. You come here often?” His face splits into a boyish grin as he feeds me the same line from a few nights ago. My lips spread into a smile before I even think about it. “Is that the best you got, Sonny?”

“You’re staring.” My gaze snaps to the windshield and my neck straightens. “I was not.” “It’s alright, baby girl. I like the way your eyes feel on me,” he murmurs.

I didn’t know the protocol for a . . . one-night stand.” He snaps. “Ah, that’s where I went wrong.” He pauses, and I’m convinced it’s just for dramatic flair. “I didn’t want just one night.”

The last thing I want to do is hurt her or break her trust, but she has to know that I’ll protect what’s mine. And make no mistake, Amelia Christensen is mine.

“I think falling in love at the end of the world would be tragic. Reckless, even.”

“What if this is it? If this is when it ends?” Sonny smooths his thumb between my bunched brows. “Then I’ll find you in the next life.” “And in the one after that,” West vows. “In every life,” Cole promises.