“Of course he’s in love with you. Why do you think he’s pushing you away so hard? He grabbed the first opportunity tonotsee you because when he does, it hurts too much that you’re apart. You have to figure out how to make him realize you belong together.” Serious now, he took my cold hands and squeezed them. “Close the deal, honey. It’s the biggest, most important one you’ll ever make in your life, and you’ll need to pull out all the stops. Don’t settle until you get that yes.”
“What if I can’t?” I felt like a kid again, as unsure as when I came out to my family.
“You’re the best in the business.Can’tisn’t in your vocabulary.”
* * *
An hour later, I texted Roe.Are you home?
A minute passed, and then he responded.Yes, why?
I need to talk to you.
About???
I knew he’d find some excuse.
Not over the phone. I’ll be there within the hour.
Less than forty minutes after sending the text, I pushed the buzzer to his apartment building, and Roe’s voice came through the little tin box. “Yes?”
“It’s me.”
The buzzer sounded, and I ran up the stairs, feeling like Hermes with wings on my feet. Roe waited for me at the door to his apartment, in sweats and a T-shirt.
“Did I interrupt your beauty sleep?” I teased. My smile faded when he didn’t respond and merely opened the door. I passed by him and caught the scent of his freshly washed skin and that orange and cinnamon aftershave he used.
“What’s up that you needed to see me right away?” He crossed his arms, and I didn’t need to be a psychologist to see it as a defense mechanism.
“Are you always this grouchy in the evening?”
“Ezra.” His voice held a warning growl that instead of putting me off, sent a thrill through me. I wanted to hear him groan my name when he was inside me. I wanted that growl when his lips were on mine.
“First of all, is Nettie home?”
“Yeah. Home and watching her favorite shows. She has therapy appointments set up and a home aide. She’s still a little confused, but I’m sure once she’s settled, things will get better. Hopefully back to normal. The brain has an amazing capacity to heal.”
Let’s hope the heart does too.I wanted him, and Ross was right. It was time to close the deal.
“I had an idea that might help.”
A line of confusion bisected his forehead. “Help? Who?”
“Nettie, you idiot. You said she keeps getting upset when she’s told we aren’t together and that it can hurt her progress.” I licked my lips, and heart pounding, blurted out, “What if we pretended we’re together until she’s better?”
Roe’s eyes popped comically wide. “Are you high? Or did the nitrates in that pastrami affect your brain?”
“Neither,” I said, fixing a smile on my face even though I wanted to smack him. “If you think about it, it’s a great idea.”
“I think it’s crazy and so are you. Why would you want to keep the delusion real for her?”
At least he didn’t kick me out. Now I had a chance to persuade him. Maybe a chance to kiss him even, because his disheveled bedhead look was driving me nuts.
“I’m not saying it casually. I’m suggesting it as a temporary fix, a way for her to ease back into it. Don’t you see?” Confident of my plan, I advanced on him and tried to prove my point. “If she can do her therapy unencumbered by thoughts that we’re not together, she’ll get better quicker.”
“It’s a stupid plan.”
With each word, Roe shook his head, and I couldn’t help but reach out and put my hand on his shoulder. He jerked as if to pull away, but I held firm.
