Page 44 of A World Without You
His lips twist. “Only if it comes true.”
I hold out my fist. He taps it twice then we wiggle our fingers together.
“Always the dream team,” he declares.
I grin wide, and my mind starts to concoct a plan to right every wrong I ever did to Colin.
TEN
DREAM 4
Thursday, December 14th
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“I’M GOING TO BE LATEcoming home tonight,” Colin says over the phone I’m holding to my ear. I’m staring at my computer screen filled with contracts requiring review and signatures. I blink twice to clear the fuzziness from my eyes.
The lights on the Christmas tree in the corner spread like halos and then return to their normal circle of light after my third blink.
“Olivia,” Colin says. “I said I’m going to be late. You there?”
“I’m here,” I answer, returning to this reality and focusing less on the tinsel on the tree. “What time should I expect you?”
“Umm...late. I don’t know,” he answers. There’s a hint of irritation in his voice. I second-guess myself for a moment. Was I rude? Did I not seem to genuinely care? But he continues before I can clarify my question. “You know how these nights can go right before a deal. I might just sleep here tonight.”
I laugh. Loud.
The silence from Colin’s end of the phone call hurts my ears and my ego.
“Oh. You’re serious.”
“Yeah,” he breathes out the word.
I picture him at his desk. It’s probably black, and dust-free, with a chrome lamp illuminating the desk calendar. I have a vague recollection of him in a maroon button-up and black tie leaving for work this morning, but at this point—the clock reads five p.m.—it’s probably long gone, and the top two buttons are undone, and the sleeves are probably rolled up.
“Well, should I plan for dinner with you or...”
