And cramps slightly.
Her body shivers.
I slow down and finally stop.
She relaxes.
“Well,” I say, “That was one hell of a way to get married,” I say and laugh.
She laughs with me.
“Now, let’s get to city hall,” I say.
We get up, she dresses, checks her appearance, and then we walk to the door of my studio.
The studio that reminds me of El. Every day.
The pain I feel is still there.
But it isn’t consuming me that much anymore.
Jane stands in the corridor.
I stop in the door frame.
Turn.
Look back at the apartment.
Look up at the terrace, where I see a glimpse of the blue sky.
I miss you,I tell her.You will forever live in my heart.
“Are you coming?” asks Jane.
I turn.
See her.
And I see a part of El in her.
“Coming,” I say, smile and close the door.
Jane and I get married with a signature on a page and a kiss. No one else. Just us.
“You still taste like me,” she whispers against my lips.
“Uh-huh,” I say and grin.
We walk from the city hall to our favorite cafe. We drink coffee. Have some ice cream.
And then we stroll through the city without many words. It is one of the rare moments where I don’t look over my shoulder and can truly be here.
When we return home, the sun falls between the streets, dipping Manhattan in the most beautiful shades of yellow and orange.
“Miss Degard,” says a female, but rather edgy voice behind me, and I spin around with fear surging through me. A woman steps out of a black Escalade, behind her the slick guy I saw on the first day at uni.
Goosebumps spread over my arms, as I realize I haven’t been wrong in feeling watched.
