“Jack couldn’t come? Or he said no?”
“No, no. I just — I wasn’t going to bother asking him.”
Gina’s hum buzzes through the phone speaker. “Addy, that doesn’t make any sense. I’m sure he’d be happy to come with you.”
“Pfft. Oh, I’m sure he wouldn’t behappy.”
“Alright, fine,” she fires back. “But I’m sure he’d do it anyway. Look, I get that he’s not big on crowds.”
“Or people in general,” I interject.
“Right. That, too. But he’s obviously crazy about you. He calls you Bunny! That’s really cute. It’s easy to see that he loves you.”
Since Jack isn’t around to stop me, I stick a finger in my mouth and gnaw on the nail. “I know.”
“If you don’t want to go, that’s up to you. But your work is really good. Plus, I think you’d have a good time! Promise me you’ll at least bring it up to Jack today.”
“I promise,” I mutter, even though I’m not sure which thought is worse: Flying across the country by myself, or asking Jack to come with me. On the other hand… I can’t pass this up. It could be a make-or-break moment for my career. I get up and unplug my tablet from the charger. I’ll sit outside and think about it while I draw.
I wind up pacing the deck instead. Blowing out a sigh, I lean my forearms on the railing, looking out at the vibrant greens of the backyard and the thick forest past the property line. The idea of getting on a plane makes my guts feel like they’re being squeezed by a giant, ice-cold hand. I think I could do it if I had Jack next to me. But I really,reallydon’t want to ask him.
I did promise Gina, though.
“Have you ever flown before?”
I put the conversation off as long as I could, so we’re already in bed by the time I bring it up. Jack looks up from his phone. “Yeah. Why?”
I had everything I was going to say planned out, but the words suddenly scatter. “Just wondering.”
I shrug, hoping it looks nonchalant, but Jack frowns. “Bullshit. That was way too out-of-the-blue.” He puts down his phone and gives me a sharp look.
I drop my eyes, but I can still feel his stare on me. “It was nothing. No big deal.”
“Jesus Christ, Bunny.” Jack exhales a harsh sigh. “What?”
My words all tumble out in a rush. “I was talking to Gina before. She told me about a big book convention this winter. Olivia is going, and Gina asked if I wanted to come and do… well, I don’t exactly know yet,” I admit. “But I assume it would be like the bookstore event. And she said I’d be able to meet lots of other authors who might be interested in my art.”
I draw a deep breath before I take the plunge. “Would you come with me?”
“Where is this convention?” There’s nothing in Jack’s tone or expression to suggest what he might be thinking. That’s not like him, especially if he doesn’tlikewhat he’s thinking.
“Las Vegas. I’d have to fly there, because I realized driving across the country in the winter might not be smart. But I hate flying. It scares the shit out of me,” I confess. “If you were with me, though, I’d still be scared, but I could get through it.”
Jack is quiet for a minute or so. “This would be a really big professional opportunity for you, right?” he asks eventually.
“According to Gina. And she’s super-smart about this stuff.” Another thought suddenly occurs to me. “I don’t have any idea how much this would cost, though. I didn’t get into it with her because I wasn’t sure I was going to do it.”
Jack shrugs. “If it’s not until winter, that’s enough time to save up some money. Besides, it’s an investment in your career, right? It sounds like you should go, because if you pass this up —”
I interrupt Jack. “I know, I know — it would make me a dumb bunny.”
“No. It would make you fuckingstupid,” he says with a scowl. “Yeah, fine. I’ll come with you.”
Jack’s ready agreement catches me by surprise, so I say the only thing that comes to mind. “You said you’d rather chew glass than come to another book event with me.”
“Ialsosaid it was something a husband ought to do anyway.”
“Because I’m yours.” In spite of the nerves squirming in my guts, I smile a little at the memory.
