“Oh, honey," I cooed.

I bent down and kissed his forehead. He reached to take my hand off his cheek but I just raised my other to his neck.

I wanted to hold him back, keep him from breaking away.

I hated what Brenda had done and wanted to comfort him. I kissed him gently on the cheek.

"Carl, I'm so sorry," I pressed my forehead against his.

My hands on his cheeks, I gave him a peck on the lips one I know I shouldn't have given.

"Please don't go," I said. "Don't do something you'll regret." He relaxed in my hands but kept his fingers curled tightly around...