Her eyes grow wide. Cali coughs as she chokes back her surprise.
“Um…what? Really?” She wiggles out from under me, sitting herself up and forcing me to shift beside her on the couch.
“I should’ve said something to you earlier. I just… I didn’t want you to think I was some kind of weirdo or loser. I had just never met the right woman before I met you, but you’re different. I love the way I feel when I’m around you. I think you and I could be really great together.”
She stares out blankly across the living room, blinking several times before finally turning to look at me. “Wow, it’s late, isn’t it? You probably have to work early and need to get to bed, and I still have that mountain of paperwork to get done for Dirty Hoes.”
She smiles, but I can tell it’s forced. Her darting eyes and quietness claw at my heart, piercing it with a million tiny daggers as she scuttles off the couch and dresses quickly.
“Right, sure.” I don’t know what else to say. I’m not sure there’s anything else to say. I’ve made how I feel known, and she wants me out of here and to give her some space.
I’ll never regret being honest with you, Cali. I have to be honest because I’ve lived through duplicity, and it tears people apart.
I dress and get my shoes on. She walks me to the door, sharing another forced smile as I bend down and peck her on the lips.
“Tonight was wonderful, Cali.”
“Thanks. And thanks again for the orchid. It’s beautiful.”
“Like it’s new owner.”
She bites her lips like she’s holding in something, but she doesn’t have Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Quill.”
The door shuts.
Will I ever see this woman again, or more importantly, how am I going to go on living my life without her if I don’t?