• Dim lights played across their bodies, shadows dancing with every small movement they made. Kissing her soft red lips and looking into her eyes, he broke the quiet that had settled over them both.

    "Don't marry him."

    She sat up, her face dark. "It's a little late for that, isn't it?"

    "Never too late," he whispered, ends of her hair brushing his face. "There's always another way." He tried to reach for her hand, but she pulled it away.

    "It's not like we haven't talked about this, Will…"

    "I just think if there was more time to set things up, really get them right, it wouldn't have to be like this." Will was talking fast now, trying to convince both of them. His blue eyes were desperate. "I can't help but think you've missed something, Jess. Give me some time..."

    "No. He's perfect. Kind, loving, and generous." She smiled ruefully. "Everything you're not."

    Will returned her smile, though he felt sick. It was happening again. It always went down this way, no matter what he did differently. "Well, you've got me there."

    She sighed deeply. "Look, there are just some things that happen, you know? I can't walk away from him, not after all he's done for me."

    "It's too hard to change right now, that's all." Will gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, and despite herself she leaned into his touch. "Maybe if I go back to work, get a better job, you could see that you don't need a man like that."

    "I want us both to be happy." Jessica leaned over and kissed him, gently. "Don't you want that?" She stood and walked to the mirror, looking at herself with an appraising eye.

    "Yeah." Will sat up, flexed his hands. He watched the muscles moving underneath his skin, and he made a decision. "Yeah, I do." He paused, realizing that he sounded more confident than he felt. "How much is he worth, anyway?"

    "Seven or eight million, depending on who you ask."

    "And you already saw the will?"

    "I'll get at least half, maybe more."

    He chuckled. It always went down the same way. "Don't fall in love with the guy, alright?"

    Jessica's lips curved upwards into a lovely smile. "I'll love him more when he's dead."