Prologue Diana
"Diana…" Mal moved through the apartment, sitting next to me on the couch and placing his hand on my shoulder.
I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't catch the rest of what he said. Everything sounded as if I was underwater, distorted and fuzzy, far away. When he gave it a gentle squeeze, I snapped out of my fog for a moment. He wore blue jeans and a white tee under an open flannel shirt, a very appropriate outfit for the mid 1980s. Mal always looked good, like he'd strutted off a runway or a magazine photo shoot.
Eventually, he'll realize I'm not worth it and leave. He'll break my heart, just like they did.
I shook the intrusive thought away and gave him a weak smile. He wrapped his arms around and pulled me into his lap. Burying my face into his chest, I breathed in his familiar cologne. It didn't matter that we weren't in our time–or that we left the other four men we cared for behind. Little things, like the smell of Mal's cologne or the way he held me while I drench his shirt with tears, made me feel like I was safe. Like maybe, after my heart healed, we could build a home here.
Despite the chaos and devastation a couple days ago, I was able to time-hop us into mid-October 1985. Michael took us to one of Heaven's safe apartments right on the edge of Hell's Kitchen and the Garment District. Apparently, they had a whole network of these we could use, in multiple locations around the world and in various time periods.
That we had options should have made me feel better, but I felt empty. Lonely. Fucked up. Betrayed.
"Hey, look at me," Mal whispered into my ear.
He took my chin between his finger and thumb and tilted it up, angling it so our lips met. It wasn't a sexy kiss by any means—he didn't bite my lip or dig his fingers into my hair. His kiss brought me out of my negative thoughts, to the here and now. It reminded me that I wasn't alone. He was here with me.
"You're never alone." He echoed my feelings, smoothing his hand through my hair. "You'll never be alone, because I'll be with you every step of the way."
All I could do was nod. Any energy I had was either used for the time-hop or for sobbing.
"The future seems dark, Diana, but know that there's always light ahead."
We spent the next couple cuddling in silence, finding comfort in each other's company. It gave me time to think. Mal was right, everything, even the hurt that split my heart in two, was temporary.
The question was, how was I supposed to mend it?