𝓥𝓲𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓽

On Valentine's Day, Dominic called me from Paris. It was 10 a.m.

Four in the morning in Paris.

"Good evening, Love," he said, his voice laced in a deep drowsiness.

"Hi."

"I wanted to call you before Valentine's Day was over," he explained. "I don't think I need to explain what I'd love to do to you right now."

My face flushed. "... Um.. how was your day?" My voice shook nervously.

He laughed lightly, "it was great. Busy. Katie called me today, actually. Have you talked to her recently?"

"Um, no. I haven't." I tried to think when the last time I spoke to her was - It seemed like ages ago.

"Hm. Apparently, she's at my place now. Said she needed a change of scenery." He was quiet for a moment. "I can understand."

"Oh." I laid onto my side and pulled the covers up to my chin. "Is she... Doing okay?"

He took in a deep breath and released it slowly. "She seemed fine - over the phone anyway. She doesn't talk to anyone much anymore."

I couldn't help but feel this wave of sadness wash over me. Mini was gone. It'd been four weeks since she died.

I furrowed my brows. Dominic was doing well, it seemed, but then again, he was away in Paris. How could I know what he was truly feeling?

"Dominic... Are you doing okay?"

"It's going," he said. "How about you? Are you doing alright?"

"No, I... I meant since... Your mom," I explained.

He shifted, and before he could answer, an alarm went off. He cursed, and then it was quiet again. "Yeah.. Yeah, I'm doing alright. I have to go soon."

"Oh." I didn't believe he was doing okay.

"I promise I'll call you later, Love, okay?" He said softly. "Why don't you text me, though. Send me a couple of voice messages throughout the day."

"It's ten," I giggled. "I'll be asleep."

"Ah. Right. Well, I'll just call you when you wake up. Okay, I gotta go, Violet."

"Okay. Bye."

"Alright. Bye, Violet."

I smiled to myself as we hung up.