Page 88 of The Way We Collide

“I haven’t even seen your whole house yet.”

“Rest up, and I’ll give you the tour.”

He carries Haddy from the room, and I sit back watching his tight end go.

22

Hendrix

We’re on the couch in my home theater, watching Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan talking on the telephone while they watch an old black-and-white movie.

“They make it look so easy,” I muse. Raven is beside me, and our baby girl is snoozing peacefully on my chest like always. “I’ve never talked like that on the phone with anybody.”

“It was different then.” Raven takes a bite of soup. “Now we can text around the clock.”

“I guess.” I don’t know anybody I text that much, besides my brothers.

When I got back from the stadium, I gave her the official tour of my bachelor pad, which is actually a pretty massive place. Raven declared itridiculousfor one person.

I showed her the wine cellar, and she grabbed a few bottles to carry upstairs; the game room, complete with a nerf basketball goal, a ping pong table,anda foosball table—which led to threats of her kicking my ass at foosball, as if that would ever happen.

I showed her my personal gym, which she waved away, saying she prefers outdoor exercise. If outside wasn’t crawling with photographers, I’d take her on a hike.

From there we went to the library where I lost her for about an hour as she perused every single one of my shelves, pulling out books, reading the first few pages, then putting them back.

She declared the place desperately lacking in the romance department, so I told her to stock it.

I showed her my very small art collection. I only have a few pieces, but I really like them. Two by Edward Hopper and a drawing made of colorful shapes by Frank Lloyd Wright that matches the house.

For dinner, we ordered pizza from a local restaurant that also makes the best Italian wedding soup in town, and now we’re watchingWhen Harry Met Sallyat Raven’s request. Anything for my girls.

“I think women and men can be friends,” she continues. “Guys have put me in the friend zone many times.”

I reach for the tray, grabbing a slice of pizza. “I don’t believe it.”

She gives me a nudge. “We’re friends.”

My eyes narrow, and I glance over at her and down at our sleeping daughter. “I think we’re more than that.”

She hesitates, putting her bowl of soup on the tray. “What are we? When I’m asked, what do I say?”

“You’re my wife.” Satisfaction warms my chest.

I’ve tried out saying the word to her around the house, and every time it gets easier.

“I know, but do we want to put it out there? You were worried about your family finding out. To be honest, I’m a little worried about that, too.”

“They’re an intimidating bunch.” I put my slice on the tray, my hunger waning.

“They mean well.” Raven gives me a weak smile. “They love you a lot.”

“I love them.” Looking down, I study Haddy’s cute little nose, her rosebud lips, her expression so relaxed in my arms.

I keep turning over the idea of our dreams being on opposite sides of the continent, and what it would take to make them stay.

“Let’s just see what happens.”

“What are you doing?”I stretch out on the hotel bed in the luxury suite in Wisconsin.

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