Page 22 of Please Don't Leave Me

Do you fall in love easily? Why or why not?

Sam

Yes and no. No, I don't because I know what I want, and I don't want to waste anyone’s time if I don't see a future. But yes, when I know something feels right, I fall hard and fast.

Do you?

I’m shocked by how unashamed he is of being honest and talking about emotions.

Lou

I guess I do. I’ve pretty much been in long-term relationships for most of my teen and young adult life with a small amount of time in between where I was single.

Sam

You say that like it’s a bad thing?

Lou

My sister thinks I need to take more time and enjoy being single.

Sam

She’s not wrong.

But if you find someone who makes you happy, why stop yourself just because of some arbitrary timeline?

Lou

I think it may be the arbitrary timelines that push me towards relationships.

Sam

Care to elaborate?

Lou

Maybe some other time. I’m really tired.

Goodnight, Sam.

Sam

Of course. Night, Lou.

I lock my phone and place it on my nightstand. How does this man have me almost telling him my biggest insecurities? He makes me feel like I can trust him, like he’d understand and wouldn’t judge me.

I roll over and snuggle into Pepin, who has been curled up by my side for the last hour. I pepper him with kisses from his snout to his head. “Goodnight, Pepin. I love you.”

SAM

The next morning, I roll over in bed, and the first thing I do is check my phone to see if Lou has messaged me. I see a message notification on the app, and I get excited. When I open it, I’m met with disappointment because the message isn’t from Lou; it’s from someone named Kirsten, who I don’t even remember matching with.

Kirsten

Hi Sam. You’re so cute, and I was wondering if you wanted to go get coffee sometime?

I click out of my phone and decide I’ll respond to herlater. You can’t see if someone has read your message or not on this app, so I don’t have to feel bad about leaving her on read. I always respond to people because I feel guilty if I don’t. I mean, I did swipe right on them, so in theory, I should be interested. But sometimes, I find myself not as into someone as I originally thought. The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone’s feelings, but sometimes I message them for too long, and then I’m a jerk because I’m leading them on.

---