“You don’t get to act like that didn’t mean anything,” I continue. “LikeIdidn’t mean anything. And then just show up here with a speaker and a cowboy hat like it fixes it.”
Her eyes glass slightly. “Well, you could have told me howyoufelt, you know?”
“I could have. I wanted to. Maybe I should have. And that last night, I really wanted to. But I didn’t know how. What was I supposed to do? Bust down your door? Maybe I could have, but it seemed like you were pretty okay with me leaving that morning.”
“I know. I didn’t give you that chance. That’s why I’m here.”
I search her face for some kind of signal. I’m not sure what I think I’ll find.
“It wasn’t nothing,” she says, stepping closer. “It was everything. That’s the problem.”
That lands. I run a hand through my hair and spin around, then turn back to face her.
She moves closer. Close enough now that I can smell her floral perfume.
“I was wrong,” she says. “About all of it. About you. About me. About the whole thing.”
I avert my eyes, looking around at my empty place. I really need some warm lighting.
“I don’t do casual either,” she adds. “I tried to pretend I could. But I can’t.”
Silence stretches between us.
“Cass. Can I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“I feel like you’re still hung up on your ex. You’ve got some things to sort out.”
“Maybe, but…”
I glance outside. The sunlight is rapidly disappearing.
“Look,” I say. “I have an afternoon game tomorrow and I have to get some sleep. I’d love to continue this conversation in the morning. I’m pretty wrecked from the whole move and…this.”
She tentatively reaches a hand out and puts it on my forearm. “I understand. I can go?—”
“No. Don’t go. Just…stay here.”
“No, I shouldn’t?—”
“Cass. Stay. We’ll talk in the morning.” I put my hand on her hip. “I want you to stay. Please.”
“Yeah.” She nods. “Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Do you have a bag?” I shake my head. “Of course you do. Let me get it.”
I breeze past her toward the door and hear her steps following me.
She opens her car, and I grab her bag for her and bring it in.
“Oh, and by the way,” I say. “I’m sorry, but I literally only have one bed.”
“Oh.”
“It’s king size. We can spread out.”
“Right.” She nods slowly. “Got it.”
