Page 114 of You Had Me at Hockey

“Ha ha. I admit, at first that was what I wanted. But then I got greedy…and I wanted you to love me.”

In her bed, with my arms wrapped around her, I squeeze her. “I do.”

“And I’ll keep teaching you how to have fun.”

“Please do.”

“But remember…you said you’d tell me if I piss you off.”

“Right.”

“Only…maybe you could do it nicer than last time?”

“Fuck.” I close my eyes and press my cheek to her hair. “I’m sorry.”

“I know. I’m kidding. Sort of.”

“I’ll do better. Andyoutellmeif I’m not.”

“Deal. Remember? We agree to try to compromise.”

“Right.” My throat pinches. “Right.”

She’s silent for a minute. “I’m writing a book.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a crazy idea, but an editor at the publishing house where Connor works told me I should. And Connor said that if an editor at a big publishing house says you should write a book, you write it, right fucking now, and send it to her.”

“Wow. That’s great.”

“I don’t really know if I have anything to say.”

“That doesn’t stop you.”

“Hey!” She twists and looks at me.

I grin. She grins back.

“You’re right,” she says.

We get out of bed eventually to order food.

“Thank God I showered today,” Sara says as we eat Vietnamese. “If you’d shown up yesterday, you would have turned around and left again.”

“Doubtful.”

She shrugs. “I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.” She presses her lips together and gazes at me. “I’m still afraid to believe this.”

“Don’t be afraid.” I lean over to kiss her, hating that there’s any doubt in her mind. “Maybe we have shit to learn, but we can help each other. Like we have been.”

She nods, eyes bright.

After dinner, I grab my phone and check messages. I go very still and when I read the one from Laura. I drop my phone and close my eyes.

“What is it?”

I swallow, my throat pinched up tight. “Carter passed away. Around four this afternoon.”

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