Page 110 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

Silas opens the door for her, and they’re told to sit where they want. They each look at the menu and sit silently. He tries in vain not to chuckle.

“What?” Bridget smiles.

“You.” He smiles back. “You’re not very discreet when it comes to staring at me.”

“I don’t know about that. I stared at you from day one, and you never noticed.”

“Really? Damn, that’s on me for not noticing. When did you first spot me?”

“My first day at the gym.”

“You had been staring at me for a month before you said something?” He smirks.

“Stop it. Don’t tease. I’ve never had to approach a man before.”

“Of course your fine ass didn’t.”

The server takes their orders. A cheeseburger with fries and a Cherry Coke for Bridget, and a double cheeseburger, fries and a vanilla shake for Silas.

When the server leaves, they continue their conversation.

“It’s actually kind of embarrassing. Lyric kept having to text me when I was in line with you at the smoothie place, telling me to say something to you. I was so scared that I got in my head, and by the time I said something … you know the rest.”

“It’s funny. I was thinking about how much I like shy Bridget, but I really like quick-witted Bridget better.”

“She is a bad bitch.”

Silas laughs. “See that’s what I mean. I like you, Bridget. I like how funny you are, and how great of a mom you are. How talented you are, and how excited I get when I know I’m going to be around you. I see a future with you and I’m not afraid of saying that too soon.”

They stare at each other like they’re both examining an exquisite work of art.

Finally, Bridget speaks. “I’m going to give you my heart. Please don’t break it.”

“I’ll protect it and you,” Silas answers without hesitation.

The server gives them their food and exits.

Bridget looks at her lap and sips her Coke in her own vain attempt to hide her smile. She looks up at Silas, and again, just like when they were in line at the smoothie place, he winks at her.

“Can I touch your bicep?” she asks.

“Sure,” he says, completely unfazed by her weird request.

She slips out of her side of the booth and slides next to him, feeling the muscles in his arms. Silas takes her face in his hand as she continues to feel him up. He places his lips on hers. They kiss in the booth, forgetting their food and the people around them. All that exists is each other.

6

SILAS

Silas checks his phone as Bridget uses the ladies’ room at the gas station they stopped at. They’re making really good time. There’s a flea market and craft fair he wanted to hit up that’s only about an hour away. They can spare a couple of hours.

While his phone is charged, the reception is spotty, so he’s surprised when it buzzes. It’s Danielle. She sent him a video of Summer. He hits play and hopes for the best.

Danielle has the camera facing Summer while she sits on her mother’s lap.

“Sum-sum, say ‘Hi, Pop-pop.’”

Summer gurgles something that sounds like, “Irrrllll.”