JESSE

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Vivian, her hair a mess, mouth hung open as she snored like a chainsaw. A spot of dried drool pooled at the corner of her mouth. She’d also managed to hog the blanket, her arms and legs tangled up in the sheets.

I smiled.

Gorgeous.

The clock on the bedside table read 7:42 a.m. I was usually already up and about by now, but I allowed myself a few selfish minutes. I admired Vivian for a little while longer, noting the three freckles scattered over her left eyelid. I hadn’t noticed them until now, and the discovery left a...