"Yeah."
"And I don't know what this means."
I turn to face her. "It means whatever you want it to mean."
"That's not helpful."
"What do you want it to mean?"
"I don't know." She's quiet for a moment. "I don't do this."
"Do what?"
"Sleep with guys I barely know. Stay over. Wear their shirts."
"You know me."
"Do I?" She turns to look at me. "Really?"
The question is loaded. Because no, she doesn't know me. Not really. She doesn't know about the photograph I stole when I was ten. Doesn't know I've been reading her blog for years. Doesn't know about the investor dinner on Friday or the real reason I need her there.
She doesn't know any of it. So, she rolls over, facing away from me and bids me goodnight.
I should let her have her space. Should respect the boundary she's trying to create.
Instead, I move closer. Slide my arm around her waist. Pull her back against my chest.
"What are you doing?" Her voice is soft, not quite a protest.
"Holding you."
She's quiet for so long I think she's going to say no. Going to pull away and put that distance back between us.
"Okay," she finally whispers.
Her body is warm against mine. My arm fits perfectly around her waist. She feels right here, like this is where she's supposed to be.
Like I've been waiting seventeen years for exactly this moment.
My breath stirs her hair. "Jade?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you came to me tonight."
"Me too."
"Yeah?"
"Don't make me say it again."
I smile against her shoulder. Feel her body relax into mine. Feel her breathing slow and deepen as she drifts toward sleep.
"Phoenix?"
"Mm?"
"This doesn't change anything."
