My mom left for her business trip at 6 AM Friday. By 6:30, Marcus had me bent over the kitchen counter.

I'd heard her car pull out of the driveway. Heard the sound fade as she drove away. Waited maybe thirty seconds.

Then I'd gone downstairs in just his t-shirt and my underwear.

Found him in the kitchen making coffee.

We'd looked at each other.

And the pretense dropped.

He crossed to me in three strides. Grabbed my face. Kissed me like he'd been starving for it.

"Three days," he said against my mouth.

"Three days," I agreed.

"We have three days to get this out of our systems."

"And...