Page 35 of My Only

Hassani shot straight up, his chair clattering to the floor behind him.

I snorted a laugh.

“Absolutely,” he told her. “Yes, I’ll start heading there right now.”

“Fantastic! I’ll let security know. Just give them your name and ID when you arrive.”

The moment the call ended, Hassani ran a hand over the top of his head, his wide eyes snapping to mine.

He whispered, “Oh, shit.”

“Oh, shit.” My smile was so big, it ached my cheeks. “Baby!”

“I know.” He dragged his hand down his face before glancing at me again. “Damn. We gotta drive in together. You’re not done eating?—”

“It’s okay.”

I said it because I felt like I had to.

Because honestly?

It stung a little.

Our morning routine had never been broken.

And now, he was barely touching his breakfast, and I wasn’t even ready to leave yet.

“You sure?”

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “Of course, Hassani. This is huge. Are you kidding me?”

He nodded, chest rising and falling quickly as his eyes scanned the room.

“Go,” I told him, smiling genuinely this time. “Go to that meeting and shine like the star you are, baby. You got this.”

He stared at me for a long beat.

“Baby, go. Now!”

Hassani exhaled deeply, puffing out his cheeks as he let the breath go. “Aight, aight. Cool.”

I stayed at the kitchen table, finishing my breakfast.

Every so often, my eyes drifted to his untouched plate.

It was small, I told myself. Just one breakfast missed.

But as I sat there alone, the silence felt different.

A break in the rhythm.

It was probably nothing.

Probably.

Less than ten minutes later, Hassani was back in the kitchen, adjusting his tie over his slim-fit dress shirt and slacks, looking like a billionaire himself.

“You sure you’re good to drive into the city?” he asked, scanning the counter for his keys. “You got gas in your car?”

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