Kiss and Cry

“Being apart helped us know we were right together.”

I elbowed him playfully. “Now he’s stuck with me all day at work and at home.”

“Not stuck,” he said simply, and my heart swelled. Even after all these years, Henry’s little declarations made me stupidly happy.

“I won,” I said to myself.

As if I’d just been punched in the gut, I burst into tears.

I’d won, but Theo had lost, and I ached for him. He had to win too. I didn’t want him to be disappointed or angry or sad. I didn’t want him to hurt. Not ever.

Is this love?

As of today, it’s all business. Deal with it. Suck it up.

No, don’t think about sucking.

“You’re your own worst enemy.”

“I thought that was your job.” He grinned, leaning over to playfully bite my earlobe.

Guilt washed through me, sticky and uncomfortable. I’d resented him so bitterly and unfairly for years. It was hard to believe how quickly he’d proven me wrong in so many ways.

“I packed these because I was being optimistic. Not because I’m having sex with anyone else. I’m not. I only want to have sex with you. If you still want to?”

“We’re here. Just us. No one else. All elephants not even in the corner. Those bitches are outside in the snow. Sorry, elephants.”

“It’s all right, baby. Don’t freak out, okay?”

Baby. My stomach fluttered, and to my shock, I laughed. It could probably be more accurately described as a giggle, and it clearly delighted Theo, who grinned and kissed me, his arm around my back.

The elevator beeped, and Henry backed me up against the mirrored wall, one hand on my hip and the other cupping my neck as he kissed me like he wanted to swallow me whole.

He tasted like the forbidden cocoa and sugary donuts, and he made the softest, sweetest little whimper against my lips as I met his tongue, the elevator carrying us away.

Or I could come down after my call and we could watch TV or have sex or do crosswords or have sex or whatever. We could sleep together again, and we don’t have to have sex. I just want to wake up with you.

“Don’t worry. Everyone knows you’re way too honorable to have me whacked in the knee. I mean, you’re Canadian. I’m way more likely to take out a hit on you.”

“You wouldn’t do that. You’re annoyingly nice.”

They burst out laughing, and Theodore’s eyes lit up, his smile dimpling his cheeks. More heat washed through me. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud. This was why I didn’t like talking. But it didn’t seem like they were laughing at me, at least.