Page 62 of Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling

Start over from something that will be seared behind my eyelids until I take my last dying breath? How in the world am I supposed to do that?

But I nod.

“Good.” She smiles at me, looking relieved. She reaches out, and for a single, wildly hopeful second, I think she might grab my hand again. But she taps my wrist and then quickly pulls away. “Thank you. Really. For understanding.”

Except, I don’t know that Iamunderstanding. Like, at all. The only thing I know for sure right now is that she definitely didn’t want to kiss me. And I’m definitely not going to push anything that she doesn’t want.

“I need... some more time.”

I stretch my face into the biggest grin I can manage. Inside, though, my brain is pinballing from one possibility to the next. Does she need time as in she’s trying to let me down easy, already plotting how she’s going to ghost me after today? Or could this mean I haven’t been completely delusional and she really is on the same page as me? She just needs a few more beats to get there.

“Is that okay, Reggie?”

I tell her the only thing I can, because I want whatever I can have with her.

“Of course.”

MON, JUNE 19 8:13 PM

Okay but why am I still dreaming of that ambrosia salad

I told you it was bomb

Ambrosia salad is usually like a bottom tier potluck food but my auntie makes miracles

Right?? Who knew ambrosia salad could be not disgusting??

I should have found her to thank her for her service instead of just letting you bring me more plates

I didn’t mind

But I’ll pass on the message

So when are we going to see each other next?

Yeah whens the next holiday?

Our record is pretty legit at this point

Oh whens International Ambrosia Salad Day??

I’m sure the universe will bring us together then lol

When’s the next time we’ll see each other on purpose

Not by chance, I mean

Are you free Thursday?

Well Thursday is National Chocolate Eclair Day

So my only plans were to eat a dozen chocolate eclairs in one sitting like I do every year in celebration

Can I join you?

I can get my own dozen

Yes I’d love company