Page 65 of Inked Heart
That simple sentence makes my chest feel warm.We sit down on the blanket and for a few minutes we just look out at the lake.It’s quiet here.No music.No people.Just birds chirping and the occasional ripple across the water.
“I needed this,” I say softly.
“Fresh air therapy.”
“Exactly.”
He hands me a sandwich.“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I consider the question carefully.“I’m sad.”
“That’s understandable.”
“But I also feel ...lighter.”
He nods slowly.“Sometimes endings do that.”
I take a bite of the sandwich.Turkey and cheese.Perfectly simple.
“Can I ask you something?”I say.
“You keep asking me that.”
“And you keep answering.”
“Fair.”
“Did you really wait all this time?”
“For what?”
“For me.”
He shrugs slightly.“I didn’t think of it like waiting.”
“What did you think of it as?”
“Respect.”
The word lands softly between us.“You respected my relationship.”
“Yes.”
“Even though you didn’t like him?”I raise a brow.
“Yes.”
“That’s ...impressive.”
He chuckles.“It’s basic decency.I just want you to be happy.Whether that’s with Emette, or me, or someone else.”
Wow.I wasn’t expecting that.I sip the lemonade and the breeze lifts a few strands of my hair.
“Are you nervous?”I ask suddenly.
“About what?”
“This.”
