When Love Poisons Your Dream

online: "Nova - A Bold New Culinary Experience. Coming Soon." The a

on described them as "culinary visionaries" ready to "redefine the city's dining scene." A quote from Mark was splashed across the homepage:

gasoline on the fire in my gut. C

," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "

act that would give me the freedom to move, to gather the last pieces of e

tashed some emergency cash and a fake ID I' d had made years ago for a Vegas trip, a stupid youthful mistake

erfume. It made my stomach clench. I was about to head for

ing a glass of wine. Sh

ou're here. I've

erfect picture of concern. I s

things," I said

room. "But you look terrible. You haven't been sleeping. Her

r back was to me, but I saw her hand slip into her pocket and shake a fine w

"You need to rest, Ethan. You need t

, and let most of the liquid spill down the front of my shirt, making sur

s down. I swayed on my feet, letting

guiding me to the sofa

athing growing heavy and slow. I was "passing out."

hispered. "He's here. He's an absolut

pa

nk it. He'll be out for hours. After tonight, he won't be a problem fo

her

iced. It will look like he came back here, fell into despair, a

ide. The cruelty of it was breathtaking. She thought she was giving me an

he scene like a food stylist plating a dish. She looked down at me, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought I saw

kissed my forehead,

Ethan," sh

e to die. I lay there, motionless, the sedative beginning to pull at the edges of my co