We climb into our respective sides and there’s an awkward moment of silence.
“You know what I was thinking?” he asks.
“What?”
“I really don’t know very much about you. You heard all about me tonight. I think it’s only fair if you give me something.”
I turn on my side to face him and he does the same. “What do you want to know?” I ask him. “I’m not creative like you. I never played any sports or won any academic awards. I’m pretty boring.”
“You’re the least boring person I’ve ever met.” He pauses for a moment then says, “Tell me about your family.”
I sigh, placing my hands under my head. “I’m an only child. My parents tried and tried for years to have a baby, but it never happened. They thought about adoption, but they couldn’t afford it. My mom was in her mid-forties and my dad was almost fifty when I surprised them.”
He smiles as his eyes move over my face. I should be freaking out. I can’t believe I’m lying in bed with himandtalking. For some reason, I’m not the least bit uncomfortable.
“We did everything together and they spent every second of their time with me. All of their friends’ kids were grown, so I grew up playing with them, especially my dad. I preferred the company of adults to children. I was always shy and I never really clicked with kids my own age. They never forced me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with.”
“I’m sorry about your dad,” he says, frowning. “That must have been hard.”
I nod my head. “It was. My mom moved in with my aunt to save money and I felt like I was imposing, so I got my own place and worked through college to pay for it. She and I are really close, but my dad was my best friend. After he was gone…” The emotions well up inside me and I decide I’m done.
I roll back over to face the wall. “Umm, goodnight, Finn.”
“If I’ve upset you, I’m sorry.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m just tired.”
He leans over and kisses the side of my head. “Thank you for telling me. I want to know you, Liz. I want to know everything about you.”
Pressing my lips into a fine line, I wonder why. Why would he care? I don’t say another word and pretend I’ve fallen asleep. I feel him roll onto his back. Overthinking every detail of every moment we’ve spent together for a long time, I decide I need to know what he thinks is happening with us. Turning to face him, I see he’s sound asleep. I’m so confused. I don’t want to get hurt again. Relationships lead to pain. Everyone goes away for one reason or another.
Placing my hands under my head, I stare at the man who could be my everything, or who could completely destroy me.
