Marcus turned to face her, finally meeting her gaze. "I left because I was scared. Every time I get this close, I feel like I'm losing the version of myself that knows how to survive alone. But being alone is starting to feel a lot like drowning."

As they walked out of the Sapphire Lounge together, the neon light flickered once and died, leaving them in the quiet, honest dark of a new beginning.

"Last night was a lifetime ago," Keyshia interrupted, her voice softening just enough to let the hurt show. "You said things, Marcus. Promises you've made a thousand times before. But when the sun came up, you were gone again. Just like always."

Keyshia walked in like a storm disguised as a sunrise. She slid onto the stool next to him, not saying a word, her presence a loud demand for the truth.

"Then prove it," she whispered. "Because I don't have another 'last night' left in me."

Should we expand on to see why he's so hesitant, or

"I didn't think you'd have the nerve to call," she countered. Her eyes were sharp, searching his face for the lie she was sure was hiding there.

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