I scramble up to sitting. I’m back on the couch. David is now in his chess team tournament sweatshirt and black sweatpants. We’re in our apartment.
“I thought you might be down for the count,” David says. “And miss our big night. I knew that second bottle would do us in. I already took two Advil, do you want some?” He sets the popcorn and water down and leans over to kiss me. “Should we call our parents now or tomorrow? You know they’re all losing it. I told everyone beforehand.”
I parse through what he’s saying. I’m frozen. It must have been a dream, but it... how could it be? I was, just three minutes ago, in bed with someone named Aaron. We were kissing, and his hands were on me, and we were having the most intense sex of my life. Dream me slept with a stranger. I feel the need to touch my body, to confirm my physical reality. I put my hands on each elbow and hold my arms to my chest.
“You okay?” David asks. He’s pulled himself out of the jovial moment and is looking at me intently.
“How long was I out for?” I ask him.
“About an hour,” he says. Something dawns on him. He leans closer to me. The proximity of his body feels like an intrusion. “Hey, listen, you’re going to get that job. I can tell you’re stressed about it and maybe this was too much to have happen in one day, but there’s no way they don’t hire you. You’re the perfect candidate, Dannie.”
I feel like asking himwhat job?
“The food came,” he says, sitting back. “I stuck it in the fridge. I’ll get plates.”
I shake my head. “I’m not hungry.”
David looks at me with shock and awe. “How is that possible? You told me you were weak with hunger, like an hour ago.” He stands up and goes into the kitchen, ignoring me. He opens the refrigerator and starts pulling out containers. Pad Thai. Chicken curry. Fried rice. “All your favorites,” he says. “Hot or cold?”
“Cold,” I say. I pull the blanket closer around me.
David comes back balancing the containers on plates. He starts taking off tops, and I smell the sweet and sour and tangy spices.
“I had the craziest dream,” I tell him. Maybe if I talk about it it’ll make sense. Maybe if I lay it all out here, outside of my brain. “I just... I can’t shake it. Was I talking in my sleep?”
David piles some noodles onto a plate and grabs a fork. “Nope. Don’t think so. I showered for a little, so maybe?” He jams a giant bite of Pad Thai into his mouth and chews. Some stray noodles migrate to the floor. “Was it a nightmare?”
I think about Aaron. “No,” I say. “I mean, not exactly.”
David swallows. “Good. Your mom called twice. I’m not sure how long we can hold her off.” David puts his fork down and threads his arm around me. “But I had some plans for us alone tonight.”
My eyes dart to my hand. The ring, the right one, is back on my finger. I exhale.
My phone starts buzzing.
“Bella again,” David says, somewhat wearily.
I’m already off the couch, snatching the phone and taking it with me into the bedroom.
“I’m gonna flip on the news,” David calls after me.
I close the door behind me and pick up the call. “Bells.”
“I waited up!” It’s loud where she is, the sound of people fills the phone—she’s out partying. She laughs, her voice a cascade of music. “You’re engaged! Congratulations! Do you like the ring? Tell me everything!”
“Are you still in Paris?” I ask her.
“Yes!” she says.
“When are you coming home?”
“I’m not sure,” she says. “Jacques wants to go to Sardinia for a few days.”
Ah, Jacques. Jacques is back. If Bella woke up five years in the future in a different apartment, she probably wouldn’t even blink.
“In December?”
“It’s supposed to be quiet and romantic.”
