Page 58 of Grasp The Moment

“It’s everything.” She stops me, wrapping her arms around my waist as she looks up at me.

I feel newfound movement in my chest, something faint yet exhilarating as she smiles at me.

“This whole marriage thing has been chaotic—I literallyjustmoved in three weeks ago, and now we have weekly dinners with your mother when we barely know one another still… But I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else, Derek.”

It’s her “everything” in that moment that makes me fall for her.

The way she speaks and looks at me has me feeling like I’m falling off a cliff—if I’m being honest, I’ll jump if she’s the person who greets me at the bottom.

I don’t know what this says about me—I don’t know if what I’m thinking is crazy, or maybe these feelings have been here for a while, but… I think I just may be falling for my wife.

23.Georgia

To saythat today drained me would be an understatement—itkilledme.

You would think that Valentine’s Day would be the least stressful holiday other than Groundhog Day, but boy, are you mistaken.

After we celebrated the holiday with Denver and the guys, everyone went their separate ways. The boys have a game tonight, Delilah has dance, and I have deadlines to make.

Derek is the most understanding man in the world. Instead of being upset that I couldn’t make tonight’s game, he kissed my temple, made sure I had a late lunch prepared, wished me good luck, and then went to the arena.

There wasn’t an ounce of hostility or anger from him.

Stretching my neck, I sigh as my faux glasses fall down the bridge of my nose.

I’ve been staring at the same sketch of a men’s three-piece suit for the past forty-five minutes. Something about the waistcoat is off, but I haven’t been able to placewhat…

The dinging of my phone pulls me away from the sketch momentarily, only to increase my stress tenfold.

She Monster

Your father wants to see you after your graduation. The wedding will be in June, so make sure to get your flight soon.

Rolling my eyes, I toss the phone back onto the couch next to me. I can only take one source of stress at a time. Getting up from the Georgia-sized hole on the couch, I go into the kitchen and smile at the sight of the dozen strawberry cupcakes strategically placed in the cupcake holder on the island.

Taking two cupcakes out of the tin, I make my way back to the couch and plop down in my hole.

This concept shouldn’t be as stressful as it is. I’ve had my clothes in the SFU Spring Fashion Show for the past three years—yet coming into my senior show, it feels like the stakes are higher than ever before.

What would Eden Marlowe do?

Sighing, I take a bite of my smallest cupcake and turn the TV toGossip Girl,only to turn it back off when Dan starts acting like an asshole.

Ihatemen, but more importantly, I hate when mediocre guys—no hate to Penn Bagdley. I love him—but I do hate it when average men date phenomenal women and suddenly become these high and mighty entities.

The audacity of the male species is something I believe scientists should do a deep and thorough study on.

Placing a cupcake on my stomach, I scroll through my page on Derek’s Netflix account, and pausing onGilmoreGirls,I sigh.

Do I want to watch the downfall of one of my favorite characters again, or will I choose peace?

Peace, it is.

The sketchbook on the table seemingly winks at me as the thought crosses my mind. I honestly don’t know what’s wrong with me. It takes me no time to come up with concepts and to sketch new work, but this line is taking everything from me.

Running a hand through my hair, I put my faux glasses on the table and turn onFrozen.Maybe the cold won’t bother me as much as this damn sketchbook is.

The front door opens around forty minutes into the second movie. I’m bent over my sketchbook, angrily sketching out a detailed cravat when the scent of Derek’s cologne hits me.