Page 144 of Things I Read About

I jump at the sound from the kitchen and walk over and see a sign on the counter.

Please take the salmonout and turn off the oven so your house doesn’t burn down. You don’t have to eat it, there are plenty of pescatarian options in your new fridge. I am very calm and of sound, rational mind, and I still love you.

- Nate

I’m crying again, and smiling, too, as I follow his instructions. After the oven is off, I open the fridge. It’s completely full. Fish, sushi, pasta, various potato dishes, tofu and a cheese drawer stuffed with various gourmet cheeses. And more chocolate.

I turn to head to the two little bedrooms, the only spaces left, aside from the bathroom they share. Then I spot the bright box on the kitchen table. Operation. And a note.

I’d like a rematch. Left-handed. That was the best night of my life. I’m still not leaving Dallas.

And I still love you.

I move to the first bedroom, it’s larger and set up with an amazing, romantic four poster bed. The decor is deep red, dark stained wood, with gold and black finishes. It’s dramatic and dark. It’s sexy, like something from a novel, not everyday life. I love it. The bathroom is bright and clean and there’s a note.

No more crying in the shower, Sally.

Not unless you let me hold you.

And let me pulverize whoever made you cry.

Because you’re mine.

And I’m still yours.

I grab some toilet paper for my eyes and nose, which are leaking badly. I turn back and see there’s one photo hung up on the wall across from the bed. It’s our selfie. Large and in black and white. It’s perfect.

I have no idea what to expect for the second room. It’s smaller, so, an office maybe? A guest bed or maybe a treadmill or something?

But it’s…empty.

On the wall are two small frames. One is a photo I recognize from where I stand in the doorway. It’s my first big piano concerto with an orchestra when I was just a kid. I walk over to see the second frame.

It’s my MCAT score. Framed identically to my dad’s copy of my mom’s perfect score. I look down as I wipe my tears and see another big piece of poster board on the floor.

Turn around, baby.

37

I spin so fast I get woozy.

But it’s worth it.

Nate’s standing in the doorway, in his usual uniform of black and gray. His arms are up on the frame like a super model. Tattoos on display.

I have to swallow all the saliva that my body produces at the sight of him.

He comes in, his face looking…scared?

“You can do whatever you want in here, it’s your house. You could make this an office, another library, you could get a roommate.” He freezes. “Afemaleroommate.” He shakes his head and starts walking again. “I mean, whatever you want. Listen, Fergus let me open an office here. I traded in my bike and I got a place down this same street, so I’ll be close by. Just say you’re still in love with me. Say you’re still mine, Sally, please?Myhazard.Mybest friend.Mypartner.Mygirl. Pl—”

I’m running to him before he can finish. I jump into his arms just like before, gripping my whole body around his torso like a vice. “Yes! Yes. I’m in love with you. Yes.” I sob into his neck.

He grunts as he puts an arm under my legs and one big hand on the back of my head.

I pull back to look at him. “Oh, your chest, are you okay?”

“I’m happy as a clamat high tide,baby,” he says, tears about to fall down his chiseled, smiling face. “Kiss me,” he whispers.