Page 104 of Married to Number 22
“Right, then,” I say, settling back in the chair opposite her. “How about one chapter before I have to head out?”
“Justonechapter,” she agrees, opening to the first page.
Spoiler alert: we don’t read just one chapter.
And also…
Despite my earlier certainty, it doesn’t all work out.
Not by a long shot.
So,one chapter turned into five chapters and pretty soon we were a quarter of the way through the book.
“Angie was right,” I tell Bri as I force myself to close the book, gather up my things, and stand. “This is really good.”
“And there are four more in the series,” she says and it’s so nice to see her smiling.
“Well I know I’m not going to get anything done for the next week.”
“Hey”—she closes her own book and stands, trailing me to the door—“binge-reading an entire series isn’t nothing.”
“I like the way you think.” Hitching my purse over my shoulder, we pause at the door that leads to the sleeping quarters of the shelter. “Will I see you tomorrow at Kathy’s for dinner?”
She nods. “She’s teaching me how to make chocolate chip cookies.”
My stomach rumbles and we both laugh. “Well, clearly, I can’t wait to taste the results.” I dare to bump her shoulder with mine, joy in my heart when she bumps me back. I know that, for as comfortable as she’s gotten with Kathy, physical contact is still tough for her, so don’t want to push it. “Goodnight, sweetheart,” I murmur.
“’Night,” she murmurs back but before I can leave, she says, “Luns?”
I pause with my hand on the metal bar that opens the door, glance back over my shoulder. “Yeah, honey?”
She doesn’t say anything but moves in a rush, closing the distance between us in a second, so fast I don’t have a chance to brace or get out of her way.
And it’s a good thing.
Bracing would do nothing—because the impact isn’t physical.
And getting out the way would have been a huge mistake—because I would have missedthis.
Her arms wrapping around me and squeezing tight as she gives me the best hug of my life.
And I’ve had some pretty great hugs in my life.
“Thanks,” she whispers after a long moment and I know it’s not for reading with her tonight or even for the invite to the party that brought her into the Grizzlies and Black fold. It’s for everything—being here, being a person she can trust, showing her there’s more to life than just surviving, that we can fight and laugh andlive.
And along the way, I’ve learned the very same lessons.
Learned so much more.
Because I remembered what it felt like to be loved—and how to give that love to the right people.
But I don’t say any of that.
Not tonight.
Sappy exchanges can come another night.
I just hug her back just as tightly and say, “you’re welcome.”
