Page 39 of Let's Talk About Love

“Like Jesus.” She giggled.

“Yeah, but you know how it ends, right? You’re going to crash, Buttons. You’re all dead.”

“Wow. Okay. Um?”

“It’s a very morbid metaphor, I know. If you can’t work together or come to an agreement…”

“What do you think I should do then?”

He smiled at her—one that meantI love you, but nope you’re wrong. “You don’t want my opinion on this.”

“I figured as much,” she said, trying not to be disappointed. So much for being on her side. That traitor. That adorable, formerly chubby-cheeked turncoat…

Ryan agreed with her parents.

But didn’t he realize that meant she wouldn’t see him and Feenie probably for years? She would ship off to school while they stayed here married and happy with Glory, while she suffered.

Didn’t he want her around?

“Let’s say I did go to law school. I’d probably have to move away,” Alice said.

“Understandable.”

She frowned. “You won’t miss me?”

“Buttons, you’re changing schools, not dying.” He laughed, shaking his head. “It’s not forever. We’ll still see you on breaks and holidays.”

We’ll.

They.

Together without her.

Delaying the inevitable never stopped it from happening.

They exited the library’s front doors and idled around on the sidewalk. Ryan threw his keys in the air and caught them with the opposite hand.

“What time does your shift start?” he asked.

“Five. I’m going to head up to eat before it starts. I have some frozen dinners in the break room,” she said. “I’m off at nine tonight.”

“Do you want me to pick you up? Or would I be interrupting a Takumi Trial?” He raised one suggestive eyebrow and gestured to the left with his chin. “Is that the infamous bus stop where he waits with you?”

“You’re as bad as she is.” Alice rolled her eyes.

“She’s serious. I’m just joking. Do you even like him?”

“He won’t leave me alone to dislike him in peace, so yeah, I guess.” She grimaced. “He’s too nice to hate. And he has that wholecharmingthing going on.”

“Oh, poor you. It must be terrible having to deal with that.”

“Shut up.” She tried to kick him but he dodged the move, laughing. “Feenie teases me enough, thanks.”

“Speaking of my wonderful almost-wife, she says there’s a costume party she wants to go to. Friday night.”

“But that’s Family Night.” They had already voted to have a fancy spaghetti dinner and watch a campy horror-movie trilogy about the undead.

“We can outvote her if you want.”