Love Notes

The second Annie Daschle tumbles into my arms, I'm a goner.

When she asks if we're hiring at Wasted Words, I can only say yes, even though we aren't-it's that early on that I realize I can't say no to her. Not when she asks me to show her around New York, even though I already know I should stay away. Not when she asks if we're friends because I want her so much more than that.

But she isn't mine, and she never can be.

She's ten years younger than me-fresh out of high school, never been kissed. She's my employee, just a kid with a heart condition that's stopped her from living out loud like she's always wanted. She's never dated, never had a boyfriend, never lived, and I can't be the one to break her heart the first time. I can't be the one to show her what could be.

But God, how I want to.

Within a few staggering heartbeats, Annie and I are caught in the middle of something we can't find our way out of, with no clear answers and no rules. And the moment she's in my arms again, I realize she can't control her heart. Not the decisions it makes.

Not the moment it stops.