I Miss You Before You Even Leave
Living together made Adrian worse.
Not colder.
Not more controlling.
Softer.
Needier in quiet ways that somehow affected Lia more deeply than all the obsession ever had.
Because now she saw exactly how attached he'd become to her presence.
And honestly?
She was just as bad.
—
Tuesday afternoon arrived warm and bright over the city.
Lia stood near the bedroom mirror fixing her earrings while Adrian sat at the edge of the bed watching her with the kind of focus that should've been illegal.
The problem?
She was only leaving for three hours.
Three.
Hours.
Sienna dragged her into a late lunch and shopping trip because apparently "healthy relationships require human interaction outside your emotionally intense billionaire boyfriend."
Which honestly felt targeted.
Adrian clearly agreed.
"You don't need more clothes."
Lia glanced toward him through the mirror.
"That's your opening argument?"
"You steal mine anyway."
Heat rushed lightly into her cheeks.
Because unfortunately—
also true.
At this point half her wardrobe consisted of Adrian's hoodies, shirts, and sweaters.
Mostly because he looked deeply satisfied every time she wore them.
Lia adjusted her necklace carefully.
"You survive billion-dollar negotiations daily but shopping scares you?"
"Shopping with Sienna scares me."
A faint smile tugged at her mouth.
"That's actually fair."
Adrian stayed quiet afterward.
Too quiet.
Lia noticed immediately.
Because she noticed everything about him now too.
The way his fingers tapped softly against his knee.
The slight tension in his jaw.
The look in his eyes every few seconds when he realized she was actually leaving.
Her chest tightened instantly.
"You're pouting."
"I don't pout."
"You absolutely pout."
A quiet sigh escaped him while he leaned back slightly against the bed.
"You've been gone more this week."
The roughness in his voice wrapped tightly around her chest.
Because he sounded genuinely affected by it.
Lia turned toward him fully.
"I was in class."
"I know."
"And you saw me yesterday."
"Yes."
Silence.
Then quietly—
"It still felt long."
God.
The honesty nearly ruined her emotionally.
Because Adrian said things like that so naturally now.
Like missing her had become a permanent state of existence for him.
Lia walked slowly toward the bed before stopping between his knees.
Immediate reaction.
His hands settled automatically against her waist.
Warm.
Comforting.
Necessary now.
"You're clingy," she whispered softly.
A faint flicker crossed his face.
"Only with you."
The terrifying part?
That was true.
Adrian Monteverde barely tolerated physical contact from most people.
But with her?
He always reached for her first.
Always needed her closer.
Lia brushed her fingers gently through his dark hair.
Immediate reaction.
Always immediate.
His eyes closed briefly while a soft breath escaped him.
"You do that strategically."
"You complain every time and still lean into it."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
Warm.
Ruined around the edges.
Then his arms tightened slightly around her waist while he looked up at her again.
And suddenly—
he looked younger somehow.
Not in age.
In vulnerability.
Like loving her softened all the sharp edges he usually carried.
"You'll text me when you get there."
The words came calm.
Certain.
Absolutely not a question.
Lia smiled faintly.
"Yes, Adrian."
"And answer your phone."
"You say that like I disappear into the wilderness."
"You disappear into stores with Sienna." His thumb brushed lightly against her waist. "That's worse."
Another laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
God.
He really was impossible.
Adrian watched her carefully while she smiled.
Completely gone.
Like even tiny moments of happiness from her emotionally affected him.
"You're happy."
The way he said it—
soft.
Almost relieved—
made her chest ache instantly.
Lia cupped his face gently between her hands.
"You look emotional over lunch plans."
"I am emotional over lunch plans."
No hesitation.
Never hesitation.
His hands slid slowly higher against her back while his gaze stayed fixed entirely on her.
"You leave," he murmured softly, "and suddenly the apartment feels too quiet."
The confession wrapped painfully around her heart.
Because Adrian sounded sincere.
Not dramatic.
Just honest.
Lia leaned down slowly until their foreheads rested together.
Warm sunlight spilled softly across the bedroom around them.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Home.
"You know normal couples survive afternoons apart, right?" she whispered softly.
A faint smile touched his mouth.
"We're far past normal."
Unfortunately—
also true.
Adrian's fingers brushed lightly beneath the hem of her shirt against her waist.
Grounding himself again.
"You know what the worst part is?"
Lia swallowed carefully.
"What?"
His eyes softened impossibly more.
"I miss you before you even leave."
The confession shattered straight through her chest.
Because he sounded almost frustrated by it.
Like loving her this much constantly overwhelmed him.
Lia kissed him softly before he could overthink himself further.
Immediate reaction.
Adrian inhaled sharply against her mouth while his arms pulled her closer instinctively.
The kiss stayed slow.
Warm.
Affectionate.
Nothing desperate.
Just reassurance.
When Lia pulled back slightly, Adrian kept his forehead against hers for several seconds.
Then quietly—
almost vulnerable enough to ruin her completely—
"Come home quickly."