“I scowled and stabbed begrudginly at the stack before scooping up a bite with my fork, but it toppled over and plopped into my lap. I groaned and banged my head on the counter.Mom frowned, 'You have to be smarter than the pancakes, Ellie.”

“Henry keeps dealing. When all the cards have been separated, I pick up my stack and shuffle my cards again. Then I look up into Henry's eyes, and he's staring back at me, at my tears, and I see all these tiny wrinkles around his eyes-sadness wrinkles. He frowns, biting his lip.”

“The waves of pain that had only lapped at me before now reared high up and washed over my head, pulling me under. I did not resurface.”

“Scooping up the dress, I slip it over my head, and as it cascades to the floor. I suck my stomach for all I'm worth. Forget staying in with a good book. This Cinderella is going to the ball.”

“So you're a dom, huh? Nice." I stabbed my pancakes again. "Kinky.""You're the one who ties people up, babe.”

“So you're a dom, huh? Nice." I stabbed my pancakes again. "Kinky.""You're the one who ties people up, babe.”