She showed up.
She didn’t chase anything glittery or loud or selfish.
She didn’t leave.
I swallow hard.
“She’s so goddamned good, Trish.And I know I’m unworthy, but every time I see her, my feelings get all fucked up.I mean, I want her.I still fucking want her.That part’s easy.I never stopped, in fact I think Ialwayswant her.It’s just my default setting.”
I laugh without humor.
“But?”she prods.
“But I ruined it sixteen years ago.I walked away, and I guess I expected the world to wait.”
My voice cracks.
“She didn’t.”
“No, Nate.Shecouldn’t.”
I lean back, staring at the ceiling beams.“So how does one atone for sixteen years of absence, exactly?”
Trish snorts.“Ha!Is that all it’s been?Look, Nate, I’m not Cupid, but why don’t you just do some big grand gesture?”
“A grand gesture,” I repeat slowly.
And heaven help me—I actually start thinking about it.
I’ve learned bits and pieces about Ad and Bella and her mom from the gossip around town.People sure love to talk.And apparently, Bella is in a school play.Tonight.
A school play.
Kids.
Crowds.
No cameras.
No press.
Just normal.
Something in my chest flickers.
“What if,” I say, sitting forward, “I show up incognito at the school play?”
Trish chokes on her coffee.“Nate?—”
“And maybe,” I continue, ignoring her horror, “I give a donation to the drama club?Shake hands with the kids or something after the show?Boost morale?Make it a night they remember?”
She stares.
Long.
Hard.
“That’s not exactly what I meant by grand gesture,” she finally says.“Also, you can’t just show up incognito—you’re Nathan fucking Thorn.But, okay.Let’s pretend.Why are you doing this?”
