Satisfied that she’s actually heard me, I fling the screen door open and let it slam behind me with athwack.
38
Millie
“HE’S RIGHT, YOU KNOW.”
I jump at Asher’s intrusion, but before I can protest, he takes a seat on the swing.
“What’s going on?” He nudges me with his elbow.
Dammit. My big brother is the kind of person who never gives up. And he’s annoying as fuck. When I had my first big breakup in high school, he dragged me to every social event happening over the next few months. It was a kind gesture, but he also told every person we met that I was newly single and ready to mingle like I was a fifty-year-old divorcée, not a high school sophomore.
As stubborn as I can be, he’s worse. So I relent and spill my guts. He listens intently as I divulge the details about the body-shaming director from hell, and he never once interrupts.
“So that’s my story.” I exhale, feeling lighter after getting it all off my chest.
“Yes, and?—”
“Asher, this isn’timprov.”
“Yes, but you get to rewrite the ending of this story.” He taps me on the leg for emphasis.
The creaking of the swing and the steady buzz of cicadas and crickets are the soundtrack to our silence.
“You’ve got a good man in there, Mills.” He juts his chin in the direction of the door.
A storm of emotions brews inside me as I think about Ezra.
“You’re scared, but don’t push him away. Dolly will never forgive you,” he adds, bringing a little levity to the moment.
With an embrace, he leaves me to stew by myself. After I’ve had a long while to think, I go in search of Ezra. He’s settled on the back porch, a cup of coffee resting on the railing and his attention fixed on the lake.
“Hey,” I say, my tone full of caution.
“C’mere.” He offers an outstretched arm, and I bury my face in his chest.
His shirt absorbs my tears, and when I sniffle, he hugs me a little harder.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks.
“For not giving up on me.”
Six weeks later
“Are you sure about this?” I ask over takeout.
Smiling softly, Ezra eases onto the cushion beside me. “Absolutely, baby.”
“But what if the long-distance thing is too hard? What if?—”
“Hey, hey, hey. One thing at a time.” He rubs calming circles on my wrist. “Yes, long-distance sounds hard, but Ilistened to that podcast you sent me. You were right. They have a lot of great ideas about how to stay patient and connected. And I’m not just talking about video sex.” He smirks.
“But what if?—”
He stops me with a kiss. “We’ll figure it out,” he says as he pulls away. “I already told you—I’m not going anywhere.”
