Page 7 of Ice Around the Edges

“But it’s funny, ya know,” he said. “I doubt I could tell you what my last boyfriend liked on his hamburger, but if you ask me to tell you what you like I’ll say ketchup, mustard and pickles, no onions, no cheese.”

“And you would be right.” I chuckled, which was pretty good considering my heart was in my throat.

His gaze was unwavering, and I would have looked away if I could have. But looking at Dixon Bain had always been my pleasure, and nothing had changed.

“Hey,” he began, breaking the spell. “Do you remember when I used to work those double shifts at Boondocks and I’d come home and you’d cook me dinner?”

“Uh-huh,” I said, remembering the bar and grill close to campus that he’d worked at all through college. I had gone the copy shop route; he’d been a waiter.

“I had to work to show my Dad I was serious about my own education.”

“Yes, I know.”

“But when I’d get home we’d screw around and you’d rub my back and I’d fall asleep.”

“I remember.”

“I used to wake up, and you’d be asleep next to me, and… I always loved that.”

“I know you’ve spent the night with other people since me.”

“Yeah, but you’re the only person I’ve ever lived with.”

“Really?” I was surprised.

“Yeah, really.” He was defensive.

“Interesting.”

“Why?”

My eyes flicked over to him. “’Cause it’s something grownups do, Dix.”

He grunted.

“What?”

“Nothing. I just… I can’t get over seeing you. It’s so weird.”

At least I wasn’t the only one.

“Weird and expected at the same time.”

“Expected?”

“Well, yeah. I always figured I’d see you again.”

“You did?”

“Sure, that’s why I wasn’t all racked up when I left, ya know? It never felt like forever.”

“It did to me. I didn’t realize you were actually going to go until you kissed me that last time and walked out the front door.”

He was staring at me, studying my face.

I smiled wide. “Jesus, Dix, I was so crazy about you I thought we’d be adopting kids together and have a house in the suburbs. I had no idea about anything.”

He got off the bed, crossed the room, and brought back one of the ugly regurgitated-yellow hospital chairs to sit in.