Page 67 of Speak of the Devil

I would have because it was too soon for me. It still might be, Shane. But at least I would have known you cared.

I was a fool for what I did, but I know she’ll value action more than words. I start to type when her next message pops up first:

Maggie misses you. Specially, and I quote, “his big strong arms.” She also mentioned your ass, but I don’t want to feed that ego of yours. You have plenty of others up for the task.

I laugh to myself. If there’s one thing she’s protective of, besides her own heart, it’s her patients. I text:

If you like my ass, just come out and say it.

Cat:

I like your ass, but you know what I like better?

Did I open a can of worms when all I was trying to do was sync our calendars for forty-eight hours? My fingers have been hovering over the letters.Do I pretend she never asked or?—

Cat:

Don’t overthink it. It’s burritos from El Fuego’s.

She has me laughing, but I’m grateful she didn’t slam the proverbial door in my face when I texted. She’s done the opposite. She’s kicked it open and invited me in. If she can crack jokes, I still have an inkling of a chance. It may be too late to get the girl, but I can make it up to her. She can move on and live her life. I’ll move on with mine. At least she’ll know I made the effort.

Me:

I’m not sure how I feel about a burrito being better than my ass, but obviously, I need to amp up leg day.

Cat:

Don’t stress. Your ass is pretty great. But those burritos . . .

I’ll take pretty great. As much as I’d like this to continue, I know she’s probably got better things to do like saving lives or spending time with a boyfriend who is smart enough not to fuck it up.

That’s something I hadn’t considered prior to her assuming I wanted the divorce so I could marry someone else. I’ve failed her. But I’m not letting another guy win her heart before I have a chance to show her how I feel. I need to lock this down, so I text:

What’s your schedule look like for our time together?

Cat:

Is it really time together, or we just need to spend time in the same zip code? I need details. All of them. I need to make plans for this hostage situation. Where are we going? What do I pack? Do I need to get a tracker inserted into my body so Luna can find me? You know, those kinds of things.

There’s no trust left, but I don’t blame her. I deserve it and don’t mind earning it back. I’m surprised it’s so far goneafter the casualness of our text exchange leading me to believe otherwise. And she’s not lost her sense of humor. A positive in this complicated situation. Me:

Time together. You’ll have your own room, if that alleviates your concerns. Pack for the lake. You can swim, right?

Cat:

I can swim. It’s all so fascinating.

I down my beer, needing every ounce of bravery I haven’t mustered in ten months.Tell her. Me:

You always were the most fascinating girl in school.

Cat:

Thought you didn’t notice?

Me:

I never said that.

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