WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 Keisha steps out of the black tinted car wearing 00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:06.240 oversized sunglasses and a black maxi dress that 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:10.240 flutters in the wind. The taxi drives off, revealing 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:14.160 two large suitcases lined up beside her. She's 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:18.719 back. She's really back. I grab my mail, close 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:22.160 the mailbox, and hurry inside. I don't hide. 00:00:22.579 --> 00:00:24.940 Just hover by the window, peeking through the 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:28.460 curtain. It hits me like a punch to the gut. 00:00:29.169 --> 00:00:31.850 Brandon once told me he never signed the divorce 00:00:31.850 --> 00:00:35.490 papers because he still loved her. So what the 00:00:35.490 --> 00:00:39.450 hell was he doing with me? Nausea twists in my 00:00:39.450 --> 00:00:47.310 stomach. I'm not angry. Not even mad. Just... 00:00:47.310 --> 00:00:51.289 disappointed. Keisha walks up the pebbled stone 00:00:51.289 --> 00:00:56.710 path and knocks, no, bangs, on his door. Moments 00:00:56.710 --> 00:01:00.149 later, Brandon steps out. I can't see their faces 00:01:00.149 --> 00:01:02.950 clearly, but I can see enough the way they hold 00:01:02.950 --> 00:01:06.150 each other, the way his arms wrap around her 00:01:06.150 --> 00:01:10.709 like muscle memory. She points toward her suitcases, 00:01:11.290 --> 00:01:14.150 and like the gentleman he always is, he grabs 00:01:14.150 --> 00:01:19.310 them, one by one. Then, before stepping inside, 00:01:19.849 --> 00:01:23.870 he glances across the street at me, and my heart 00:01:23.870 --> 00:01:28.829 sinks. What the hell, Brandon? Our dinner reservations 00:01:28.829 --> 00:01:32.790 are at 7, and it's now 5 .42 p .m. Ever since 00:01:32.790 --> 00:01:35.010 I saw Brandon walk into his house this morning, 00:01:35.609 --> 00:01:38.709 I haven't seen or heard from him. Maybe he just 00:01:38.709 --> 00:01:42.769 forgot. Maybe he's busy with his wife. I refuse 00:01:42.769 --> 00:01:45.950 to go by the window for the tenth time. It's 00:01:45.950 --> 00:01:49.010 turning into an obsession. So I slip on my track 00:01:49.010 --> 00:01:53.109 clothes, grab my keys, and drive off. I don't 00:01:53.109 --> 00:01:56.500 actually go running. Instead, I park outside 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:59.640 a random deli and sit there, staring at my phone, 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.900 checking emails, pretending to be busy. I don't 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:06.819 get back home until after nine. I'm just about 00:02:06.819 --> 00:02:09.259 to shower when I hear a loud banging at the door. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:13.560 Wrapping the towel tighter around me, I hurry 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:16.699 downstairs and swing it open. Brandon stands 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:20.780 there, face tense, torn, like he's been pacing 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:27.889 for hours. His eyes flick over me, slow and heavy, 00:02:28.289 --> 00:02:31.469 tracing the towel wrapped around my body. There's 00:02:31.469 --> 00:02:34.349 quiet restraint in his gaze, a struggle he's 00:02:34.349 --> 00:02:37.689 clearly losing. His jaw tightens as his throat 00:02:37.689 --> 00:02:40.969 bobs, and then he clears it, shaking his head 00:02:40.969 --> 00:02:43.490 as if to chase away whatever thought just crossed 00:02:43.490 --> 00:02:49.289 his mind. You were out? I hold his gaze. Yes. 00:02:49.990 --> 00:02:54.439 Why? I tried calling, texting. You didn't answer. 00:02:55.520 --> 00:03:00.300 I forgot my phone at home. I lie. Oh. He rubs 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:03.120 the back of his neck. I was calling to cancel 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:05.340 dinner, but it looks like you already had plans. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:11.139 Yep. He pauses. Is something wrong? I don't know, 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:15.400 Brandon. You tell me. My voice cracks, but I 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:18.520 stand my ground. I saw your wife pull up this 00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:21.280 morning. I know she's at your house. So please 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:25.430 don't drag this out. He exhales sharply, dragging 00:03:25.430 --> 00:03:28.969 a hand down his face. You're right. She is at 00:03:28.969 --> 00:03:33.270 my house. Then we have nothing else to say. I 00:03:33.270 --> 00:03:35.889 move to shut the door, but his foot blocks it. 00:03:36.710 --> 00:03:40.409 Well, I have a lot to say. He steps forward slightly, 00:03:41.150 --> 00:03:44.229 frustration rippling off him. Two years, Shauna. 00:03:44.770 --> 00:03:47.849 Two fucking years since Keisha left me. And the 00:03:47.849 --> 00:03:50.009 moment I finally signed those papers, she came 00:03:50.009 --> 00:03:53.099 running back. When I realized there was something 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:55.719 deeper between us after that first kiss I knew 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:58.500 I couldn't stay married to her not even on paper 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:02.719 He sighs I'd been selfish holding on for all 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:06.360 the wrong reasons and I see that now I was keeping 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:10.419 her hostage and I'm paying for that He exhales 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:14.620 hard emotion tightening his jaw But when I finally 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:16.860 signed those papers two weeks ago, she came running 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:20.019 back saying she wanted to reconcile after two 00:04:20.019 --> 00:04:23.740 years Shauna Two years of silence of living with 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:26.980 another man and suddenly she wants to fix things 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:31.399 He shakes his head No, I signed those papers 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:33.819 because I want to be with you because I want 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:38.839 to move forward with us I Stare up at him lost 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:41.959 for words. I didn't expect him to do something 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:47.000 so bold so final But he did and he did it for 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:50.279 me I don't know how long it'll take for her to 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:52.319 sign, but if I have to lawyer up, then so be 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:55.360 it. Brandon adds, I know this isn't what you 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.680 want to hear, that my ex -wife came running back. 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:00.779 But this is where things stand right now. And 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:02.800 I'm trying to handle it the right way, so please 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:07.019 be patient with me. I reach up and touch his 00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:11.620 cheek. You just do what you have to do. The words 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:14.540 come out softer than I expect, because really, 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:17.759 I'm speechless. He's doing everything right. 00:05:18.089 --> 00:05:22.250 He's being the man he promised to be. She's going 00:05:22.250 --> 00:05:25.629 to stay with me for now. He continues. I told 00:05:25.629 --> 00:05:28.470 her to get a hotel, but she refused. I thought 00:05:28.470 --> 00:05:30.290 about leaving instead, getting a room somewhere 00:05:30.290 --> 00:05:36.170 else. I shake my head. What? No! I'm sorry, Shawna. 00:05:36.850 --> 00:05:39.430 But if you need me for anything, just text or 00:05:39.430 --> 00:05:44.750 call, okay? I nod, unable to form words. Brandon 00:05:44.750 --> 00:05:48.069 turns, walks off into the dim streetlight. leaving 00:05:48.069 --> 00:05:52.709 me standing in the doorway, still stunned. I 00:05:52.709 --> 00:05:55.889 can't believe she's back, or that she has the 00:05:55.889 --> 00:05:58.329 nerve to want him again just because he finally 00:05:58.329 --> 00:06:02.750 signed those papers. I sigh, closing the door 00:06:02.750 --> 00:06:06.290 behind me. The next morning, I'm in the kitchen 00:06:06.290 --> 00:06:08.629 making coffee when I remember the message saying 00:06:08.629 --> 00:06:11.750 a package had been dropped off at my door. I 00:06:11.750 --> 00:06:15.189 step outside, grab it, and decide to wet the 00:06:15.189 --> 00:06:37.639 flowers at the front while I'm at it. Shauna! 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:51.800 It has. She tilts her head. So how are things 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:56.480 with you and... Eric? Eric passed a few months 00:06:56.480 --> 00:07:00.000 ago. The words don't sting like they used to. 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:05.040 Oh, sorry about that. My condolences. She says, 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:08.480 flat as glass. I can tell she doesn't mean a 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:14.519 word of it. Thank you. I murmur. So... How's 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:19.800 life treating you? It's fine." She nods, stirring 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:35.339 invisible thoughts. Oh, I say, lifting a brow. 00:07:47.329 --> 00:07:50.870 Right. I manage. Well, I've got coffee brewing, 00:07:51.009 --> 00:07:54.370 so I should get back to it. Oh, can I join you? 00:07:54.810 --> 00:07:57.990 She says suddenly, flashing that too bright smile. 00:07:59.029 --> 00:08:01.449 I've been craving a cup, but I have no idea how 00:08:01.449 --> 00:08:04.870 to use the coffee machine at home. It's so high 00:08:04.870 --> 00:08:08.769 tech. Really? Isn't Brandon there to help you 00:08:08.769 --> 00:08:13.370 with that? Oh, no, he had something to do. She 00:08:13.370 --> 00:08:16.899 waves a hand. I'm not sure when I'll see him 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:20.740 again. I grip my robe tighter, rolling my eyes. 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:26.279 Sure. Come in, then. She follows me inside, her 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:30.100 eyes scanning every inch of my home. Our house 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:34.019 used to look like this, she says casually. But 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:36.340 after the remodel, it's so much better. You should 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:39.600 really think about renovating. She slides onto 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:43.129 a stool by the island. I pour her a cup. And 00:08:43.129 --> 00:08:46.590 she takes a sip before her gaze meets mine. Sharp, 00:08:47.110 --> 00:08:53.509 deliberate. Hmm. She smirks. So, have you been 00:08:53.509 --> 00:08:57.909 fucking my husband? I freeze, staring at her, 00:08:58.269 --> 00:09:02.750 stunned by her bluntness. Excuse me? Keisha sets 00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:06.070 her coffee cup down and smiles sheepishly. It's 00:09:06.070 --> 00:09:10.870 just a question. It's a bold question, I reply. 00:09:11.210 --> 00:09:15.669 and a bit out of place. Oh, well. She shrugs. 00:09:16.429 --> 00:09:18.330 I'm just trying to figure some things out in 00:09:18.330 --> 00:09:23.409 my head. It slipped out. Anyway, so are you? 00:09:24.470 --> 00:09:28.250 I fold my arms. No, I'm not fucking your husband, 00:09:28.549 --> 00:09:32.769 Keisha. Interesting. She takes another sip of 00:09:32.769 --> 00:09:37.049 coffee, eyes glinting with mischief. You know, 00:09:37.350 --> 00:09:39.230 Brandon's always liked you, and now with your 00:09:39.230 --> 00:09:43.620 husband gone? Stop I cut her off my tone cold. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:45.940 You're getting out of pocket. It's time for you 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:50.320 to leave She stands slowly setting her cup aside 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:53.759 Since I've been back. I've noticed a lot of things 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:57.860 have changed in him Well, maybe because two years 00:09:57.860 --> 00:10:01.639 have passed since you last saw him. I snap people 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:06.220 actually change her lips curl You're a bit defensive. 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:08.980 Aren't you? for someone who's a widow and isn't 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:12.220 sleeping with my husband. You need to leave. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:16.639 I saw him yesterday. He came over to talk to 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:20.639 you. What did he say? I don't think that's any 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:25.419 of your business. It is when I'm his wife. Are 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:29.440 you really Keisha? I stepped closer. My patient's 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:33.080 gone. Because last I checked, you left him two 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:36.500 years ago for another man. An older one, if I 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:40.759 recall. She huffs. You can just be truthful with 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:44.460 me. I set my coffee down and narrow my eyes at 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:48.620 her. Fine. Brandon and I have been dating. It 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:50.799 started after my husband died, because he was 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:54.679 there for me. He helped me. He cared. So yes, 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:58.120 we've been seeing each other. But no, I have 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:01.440 not fucked your husband. Keisha's smile twists 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:05.320 into something sly. So you're the reason he wants 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:09.399 the divorce. I turn away, done with the conversation. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:15.320 Well… She continues. As long as he's happy. I 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:18.559 was just curious, you know, because nobody steals 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:22.639 my Brandon's heart. It belonged to me. I didn't 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:26.080 think he'd ever get over me. But now I understand 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:28.980 he's always had a thing for you, even when you 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:31.840 were with Eric. The way he used to watch you 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:37.639 from the lawn… My blood runs cold. I think that's 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:41.820 why I left. Keisha says, voice soft, but sharp 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:45.320 enough to cut. He was obsessed with you. And 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:47.740 now that Eric's gone, damn, he didn't waste any 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:51.980 time, did he? I stare at her, refusing to flinch. 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:55.779 She lets out a dramatic gasp, clutching her chest 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:59.399 as if struck by revelation. What if the two of 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:02.399 you were meant to be? What if Eric was just a 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:07.590 placeholder? I glare at her. You are being insensitive. 00:12:07.750 --> 00:12:12.710 Stop. She ignores me. I think Brandon's your 00:12:12.710 --> 00:12:17.230 soulmate, Shauna. Anger builds inside me. Eric 00:12:17.230 --> 00:12:21.610 was my soulmate. Keisha smiles faintly, almost 00:12:21.610 --> 00:12:25.389 toying with me. If you say so, but honestly, 00:12:25.950 --> 00:12:28.889 I don't love Brandon the way I used to. I was 00:12:28.889 --> 00:12:33.539 just... curious. You've stolen his heart this 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:37.679 time, and I'm glad it's you." She straightens, 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:41.460 brushing imaginary lint from her dress. My boyfriend 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:43.840 and I are over. He's in an elderly home now. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:47.000 There's nothing else I can possibly do with him, 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:51.659 sadly. I let out a small, exasperated laugh. 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:56.039 You don't say. Maybe I'll use the time to go 00:12:56.039 --> 00:13:00.440 back to school. Anyway, she says lightly. I was 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:02.919 just trying to be messy. I'll sign those divorce 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:06.440 papers. You can have him. I wish the two of you 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:09.779 the best of luck. She moves closer and reaches 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:13.500 to hug me. I hesitate, then let her arms brush 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:17.080 around me briefly. Take good care of him, Shauna. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:21.440 She says, pulling back with a faint smile. But 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:26.539 I know you will. See ya. She leaves as casually 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:30.330 as she arrived. Fluffy slippers, swaying hips, 00:13:31.029 --> 00:13:33.950 perfume lingering, and me standing there trying 00:13:33.950 --> 00:13:36.570 to process the hurricane she just walked in with. 00:13:37.509 --> 00:13:40.429 For the next two days, I kept that bit of conversation 00:13:40.429 --> 00:13:43.590 between Keisha and me to myself, and let Brandon 00:13:43.590 --> 00:13:46.590 and her sort things out on their own. Whatever 00:13:46.590 --> 00:13:50.370 they need to handle, they do. By the third day, 00:13:50.669 --> 00:13:54.490 Keisha is gone. Brandon comes over, ecstatic, 00:13:55.190 --> 00:13:58.200 saying she's finally signed the papers. I don't 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:00.940 tell him about our conversation. Some things 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:04.360 are better left unspoken. He cups my cheek and 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:08.279 kisses me softly. I kiss him back with reverence. 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:12.519 When he pulls away, he smiles. I think I owe 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:18.279 you a date. You do? Also, I baked another carrot 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:22.559 cake. You did? How was the first one? Awesome. 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:25.700 He says with a grin. I didn't want to ask again 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:28.590 because I didn't want to seem greedy. I laugh, 00:14:29.049 --> 00:14:32.490 reaching into the oven to pull out the pan. The 00:14:32.490 --> 00:14:34.710 smell of cinnamon fills the kitchen as I slice 00:14:34.710 --> 00:14:38.250 into it and feed him a piece. He leans closer, 00:14:38.769 --> 00:14:42.570 his hand sliding to my waist. His warmth seeps 00:14:42.570 --> 00:14:47.389 into me, steady and familiar. For the first time 00:14:47.389 --> 00:14:51.769 in months, I feel something real, something like 00:14:51.769 --> 00:14:56.049 peace, and I'm not complaining. There's a saying 00:14:56.049 --> 00:14:59.779 that goes, There's goodness in simplicity. I've 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:02.580 always understood it, but tonight it makes even 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:05.580 more sense. When Brandon knocks on my door and 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:09.419 tells me he's cooking for me, I'm ecstatic. Not 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:12.440 because I don't enjoy fancy dinners, I do, but 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:14.620 because he's taking the time to make something 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:18.960 himself that means more than anything. I join 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:21.720 him at his place, and the smell is heavenly. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:25.960 Cheese and tomato sauce fill the air, rich and 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:29.320 warm. He's made lasagna with vegetables, and 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:32.399 even thrown in fried chicken. How he managed 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:34.899 to do all this after mowing my yard a few hours 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:38.460 ago is a mystery. This man is something else. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:42.120 The table is already set, two candles flickering 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:44.799 between us, a small bouquet of flowers in the 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:48.299 center. He serves my plate, the food steaming 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:52.360 and perfect. Before we dig in, he looks at me 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:56.220 and smiles. I just want to say thank you. he 00:15:56.220 --> 00:16:00.220 says softly, for being here, for being in my 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:04.080 life. And then Keisha's words echo in my mind, 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:06.919 how she said he's been obsessed with me from 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:09.519 the beginning. I don't know if that's a good 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:12.440 thing or a bad one, but somehow this man has 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:15.820 made sure I've found my way into his life. The 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:18.559 food tastes so good that I go back for seconds. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:22.340 Brandon laughs at my greediness, but he has no 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:25.500 idea what he's just done. If we ever become a 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:27.820 couple, he's definitely doing all the cooking. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:31.600 You know, you've just done yourself an injustice, 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:37.700 I say, smiling. Really? How's that? Well, you 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:40.399 just proved you can cook, which means I don't 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:44.720 have to anymore. He bursts out laughing. I'll 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.779 cook any day for you as long as it puts a smile 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:50.860 on your face. I smile up at him, trying to hide 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:54.320 the blush that creeps across my cheeks. Inside, 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:58.379 I'm cheesing like a teenager. This feels so innocent, 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:02.299 so new. I stand to help him clear the plates, 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:05.700 but he waves me off, insisting he's got it covered. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:09.220 When he's done washing the dishes, he dries his 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:12.660 hands on a towel and sets it aside. Are you up 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:17.380 for a walk? A walk? Yeah, around the block, just 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:19.799 to walk off the food. Take in the moonlight. 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:26.299 I grin. pushing my chair back. Definitely. We've 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:28.980 been walking for 30 minutes now, and everything 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:33.880 feels calm, quiet. The night sky glows, stars 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:36.740 scattered in their full glory, and the moon is 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:40.960 bright, almost silver. I can't stop staring at 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:44.519 how beautiful it all looks. Maybe we should start 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:47.599 heading back. Three minutes into our return, 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:51.799 Brandon points up at the sky. Damn. It's about 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:55.720 to rain. I glance up, startled. Where did that 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:59.160 even come from? We quicken our pace, just in 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:02.400 case. But within seconds, the drizzle starts. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:07.579 Light and teasing at first, then steadier. Shit, 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:11.460 my hair. I grumble under my breath. We're barely 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:13.779 five minutes from home and the rain picks up. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:17.480 Well, if we run for it, we might make it. We 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:21.160 can try. We start to jog. But the drizzle turns 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:24.460 into a downpour, soaking us from head to toe. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:27.579 Brandon slips off his jacket and tries to cover 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:32.319 me, but it's too heavy, too wet to help. By the 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.940 time we reach his porch, we're both drenched, 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:38.720 water dripping from our hair and clothes. I didn't 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:41.759 think the rain would come this hard. Brandon 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.700 pulls me inside. He swerves toward the bathroom 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:47.920 and grabs a fresh white towel. With gentle care, 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:52.359 he pats my face dry. then moves to my hair. His 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:55.920 shirt clings to his body, drenched, and every 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:59.460 ridge of muscle shows through. I swallow as he 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:03.960 pats me down. You're wet too, I murmur. That's 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:06.900 nothing. He turns and pulls out a blow dryer, 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:10.380 plugging it in. I stand before the vanity mirror 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:13.380 while he stands behind me, guiding the warm air 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:16.579 through my braids. They're soaked, and I know 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:19.740 it will take forever to dry. But he's patient. 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:24.640 The dryer hums softly between us. I stare at 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:27.980 him through the mirror, and he stares back, his 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:32.019 hand frozen midair. All I can think about is 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:35.359 kissing this man. I turn around and place my 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:38.759 palms against his wet chest. You're going to 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:42.119 catch a cold. My fingers move to his top button. 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:45.359 I know where this can lead, but right now I don't 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:48.369 care. It has been so long since I've felt this 00:19:48.369 --> 00:19:52.990 kind of closeness, since Eric. Brandon sets the 00:19:52.990 --> 00:19:55.250 dryer aside and helps me unbutton his shirt. 00:19:56.130 --> 00:19:59.250 His skin is warm beneath my fingers, his body 00:19:59.250 --> 00:20:02.789 hard and impossibly tempting. Our clothes cling 00:20:02.789 --> 00:20:06.250 to us, heavy with rain, but nothing else matters. 00:20:07.190 --> 00:20:10.049 When his shirt falls away, he pulls me in and 00:20:10.049 --> 00:20:15.069 kisses me deeply, sweetly. with an urgency that 00:20:15.069 --> 00:20:19.630 steals my breath. And I kiss him back. Brandon's 00:20:19.630 --> 00:20:22.609 tongue is down my throat, and I suck in every 00:20:22.609 --> 00:20:26.269 bit of him. There's no holding back. There's 00:20:26.269 --> 00:20:30.390 no shyness to it. We are careless. He lifts me 00:20:30.390 --> 00:20:32.509 onto the sink, reaching for the button on my 00:20:32.509 --> 00:20:39.390 dress. I try to help him, but I'm too slow. So 00:20:39.390 --> 00:20:42.730 he rips it away, revealing my crimson -red bra. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:47.960 He kisses my neck, comes down to my chest. I 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:50.220 hold the back of his head as his lips trace the 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:53.920 smooth skin of my breast. And then he pulls away. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:58.759 Do you want this? I nod at him, my voice low. 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:04.339 But it's been a while since I... It's fine. He 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:07.200 presses his lips against mine, kissing me again. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:11.359 I've only been with Eric. I don't even know how 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:14.200 it feels to be with another man, because Eric 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:18.619 was my first and only. But now, he's going to 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:22.299 be my second. Brandon zips his pants down in 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:24.619 eagerness and slides his thumb over the tip of 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:28.240 his cock. His breath is jagged as he eyes me 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:31.660 with a dangerous fire in his eyes. I want to 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:34.920 say it's lust, but it's more than that. He's 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:37.819 like an animal preparing to claim its mate, a 00:21:37.819 --> 00:22:11.250 wolf, a vampire. Mm. Throwing my head back to 00:22:11.250 --> 00:22:15.930 feel his length. He exhales, his voice unsteady. 00:22:16.369 --> 00:22:22.589 Fuck. You're so good. So tight. I moan over his 00:22:22.589 --> 00:22:28.089 kisses. His body jerks against me. Shit. No. 00:22:29.650 --> 00:22:32.569 I hold onto his waist, pulling him deeper inside 00:22:32.569 --> 00:22:37.819 me. But something's wrong. Fuck. And before I 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:41.339 know it, he is pulsing inside me. He stares at 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:46.220 me in awe, and I stare back at him. Did you just— 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:48.859 He pulls out and draws a palm down his face. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:55.019 Fuck. I— This is not me. I swear to God. I pull 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:58.380 him towards me, cupping his cheeks. It's okay. 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:01.299 No, it's not. I cummed in less than a minute. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:04.819 That's embarrassing. It's not. You're just excited, 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:08.859 aren't you? He nods at me. I feel like a schoolboy. 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:13.079 It's totally fine. I kiss him, and he kisses 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:17.200 me back. But I can still feel him worrying, ashamed 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:20.779 of what just took place. Brandon takes a step 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:24.579 away from me, pinching his lips. He eyes me in 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:28.039 that greedy, hungry way, and I smile at him. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:31.099 I want to make it up to you for what I just did. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:35.819 Really? I eye him playfully. His gaze drifts 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:37.839 down to where my legs are splayed in front of 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:41.319 him on the sink. Then he steps forward and leans 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:46.180 into my ear. I want to taste you. I want to make 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:50.740 you come. I want to show you exactly how I feel 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:55.920 about you. I stifle a genuine smile. His dark, 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:58.660 naughty words are tingling every fiber of my 00:23:58.660 --> 00:24:03.200 being. Then show me what you can do. I challenge. 00:24:03.630 --> 00:24:06.630 I lift the hem of my dress, pulling it up to 00:24:06.630 --> 00:24:10.529 my waist. My breasts are exposed and the dress 00:24:10.529 --> 00:24:13.690 is gathered around my hips. But just when I think 00:24:13.690 --> 00:24:16.509 he's going to take me here, he guides me off 00:24:16.509 --> 00:24:19.569 the sink and walks me to the living room. I sit 00:24:19.569 --> 00:24:22.730 on the single couch. It's a good thing I shaved 00:24:22.730 --> 00:24:26.170 before I came over here. Somehow I knew what 00:24:26.170 --> 00:24:29.470 was going to happen and I'm glad I took the initiative. 00:24:33.589 --> 00:24:37.490 kneeling in front of me. I do as he says. He 00:24:37.490 --> 00:24:39.549 pulls me to the edge of the recliner and leans 00:24:39.549 --> 00:24:43.569 in, sinking his face between my thighs. My stomach 00:24:43.569 --> 00:24:46.009 dips at the wet, warm pressure of his tongue 00:24:46.009 --> 00:24:49.589 against my clit. I exhale as he begins to suck 00:24:49.589 --> 00:24:53.109 on me. If anyone were to walk in on us at this 00:24:53.109 --> 00:24:55.670 very moment, they'd never want to talk to us 00:24:55.670 --> 00:24:59.829 again. Brandon has me splayed like an open sacrifice. 00:25:00.750 --> 00:25:32.000 I look so vulnerable. Fuck. Shit. Instead, he 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:34.720 grabs hold of my thighs, spreading me wider. 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:38.920 His mouth covers my entire clit. My body shakes 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:41.539 like a seizure and I press him further into me. 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:45.319 I yelp, feeling that final, incredible explosion. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:49.240 And just when I have lost all sense and sensibility, 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:53.579 he releases me with a dangerous smirk. I exhale, 00:25:54.059 --> 00:26:00.380 exasperated. He eyes me. I will never stop wanting 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:03.559 to do that. Because your response to this is 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:07.259 exactly what I'll live for." And in that moment, 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:11.220 I realize this man isn't playing any games. He 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:14.460 knows what he wants. And what he wants is me. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:19.400 Good boy be damned. But as I lay there afterward, 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:24.099 catching my breath, I realize something. For 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:27.180 the first time since Eric died, I'm not drowning 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:31.329 in grief. I'm alive in it. And maybe that's what 00:26:31.329 --> 00:26:34.670 moving on really feels like. I'm glad I found 00:26:34.670 --> 00:26:39.109 that letter. I'm glad Eric was my husband. Because 00:26:39.109 --> 00:26:42.890 without him, I didn't know what love was. And 00:26:42.890 --> 00:26:56.940 now that I know, I expect nothing less. You have 00:26:56.940 --> 00:27:00.720 met the end of The Widow, Part 3. This is the 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:03.960 final installment. In another note, this is the 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:07.359 last episode of Season 3. Don't forget to subscribe 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:10.200 to Kamiya's Closet for updates and more. See 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.500 ya! Bye!