COOKIES

LUKE

Darkness swallowed me whole.

The water was frigid, cutting into my skin like shards of broken glass. I fought to find the surface, my arms thrashing through the black abyss. My chest burned, my lungs clawing for air, but no matter how hard I kicked. I couldn't tell which way was up. I was lost.

Panic wrapped around me like chains, dragging me deeper. The cold pressed in on all sides, suffocating and relentless. Jess's face flashed in my mind-her smile, her laugh, the way she looked at me like I was worth something. I'd never see her again.

The thought was more suffocating than the water filling my lungs.

I was drowning.

My chest seized, my heart pounding like a drum, faster, harder-until suddenly, everything stopped.

I jerked awake, snapping back to reality like a ripcord yanked too hard.

Air rushed into my lungs, sharp and hot, and I doubled over, my palms finding the wooden floor. It was cool beneath my palms and real. Rock solid and real.

My chest heaved as I fought to breathe, my skin slick with sweat.

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COOKIES

288 Mouchers

nightmare's icy

real. It was a dream. No,

forced it in through my nose and blew out through my

lingering echoes. of the cold.

warm, sweet smell.

Cookies?

note to drag Jess back to this couch for something other than sleeping. The reality of my surroundings settled in slowly-Jess's touch everywhere, from the soft throw

This was home.

toward the kitchen. The sound of her humming softly reached

a spoon to

a little. "I didn't mean to scare you,"

at herself as she set the spoon down. "You didn't scare me okay, maybe just a little.

COOKIES

288 Vouchers

replied,

blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Cookies,

dinner?" I teased,

was wearing one of my T-shirts, although she's been wearing it a lot, it seems. Even with her pregnant belly,

asked, leaning over the dining room table. Jess blushed and fuck if that wasn't the most beautiful

a balm. "If you want cookies for dinner, you can just say so-no need to filter me.

but that's not what you look like to me. I'd choose you over a

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