"Erica and Leo’s relationship is unconventional, but it’s real. I think, fifty years from now, they will still be close. And it’s not because they have some twisted dependency on each other. I don’t disagree with you that it might be how it started, but every day, I think it evolves. In my eyes, they are just two people who bonded over a shared experience, but isn’t that how all friendships start? Just because it was something ugly that brought them together doesn’t make the bond any less pure." I begin to walk away.
I didn’t exactly intend to be a bitch with my parting words, but I have a feeling that’s exactly how it came off. Slate struck a nerve with this conversation though. I’m well aware of how Erica and Leo feel because my relationship with Casey has been scrutinized by everyone who knows our story. This all just hits a little too close to home for me.
I hear Slate bark out a laugh from behind me as I march away. With one giant step forward, he catches up and grabs my arm to stop me.
"Sarah, I agree with you now. So stop getting upset. This isn’t what I was trying to say at all. You have no idea how fucking happy it makes me to hear you say all this. The truth can be a little overwhelming with those two, and I wanted to make sure that it doesn’t intimidate you. I like you with Leo. I think you are really good for him. I just wanted to make sure your head was in the right place and you don’t view Erica as some sort of competition."
"No, not at all. I mean, maybe I did that first night I heard them on the phone together," I say sheepishly.
"I can’t blame you there, but you have no idea what a relief it is for me to hear all this from you. See, if you give Leo hell about spending time with Erica, she’s going to, in turn, give me hell about…well everything." He scratches the back of his head.
"I promise. I’m okay with all of it. You don’t need to worry about me." I smile reassuringly and it seems to sink in.
"Okay, coffee. Come on. My treat." He holds the hospital cafeteria door open and motions for me to enter.
Two weeks later….
"WHAT DO you think about moving in with me?" I ask Sarah over the computer during our Thursday night chat. Broaching this topic over a video chat while I’m in LA is probably not my most romantic move, but I couldn’t wait any longer.
I’ve been thinking about it for weeks now. We stay together most nights, but a few times a week, she goes home to clean her apartment or get more clothes. Slowly, the contents of her closet have been trickling their way over to my place. First, it was just some shampoo and pajamas. But it gradually became more. Now that she’s working for me, it’s not too hard to convince her to spend the night at my place.
"Seriously?" she asks, surprised.
"Yeah, seriously," I laugh. "Don’t look at me like that."
"Leo, we haven’t been seeing other each that long."
"You planning on breaking up with me anytime soon?" I ask, leaning back against the bed, suddenly wishing I hadn’t blurted this out tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow. I should have done it then when I could have coerced her with my body. Mmm, her body.
"I don’t know. I like to keep my options open," she responds sarcastically.
"You know what I like for you to keep open? Your legs. Jesus, I can’t wait to get home."
"Focus, Leo. Moving in together," she scolds.
"Right. Break your lease. I’ll pay the fees."
"I’m less worried about the fees and more worried about how it’s going to affect us."
"ángel, we already basically live together. This will just make it permanent. And I’m not sure if you have missed this somehow, but we are absolutely permanent."
"I know we are. It’s just… It seems like a huge step. We still have so much talking to do and stuff," she says quietly.
"What else exactly do we have to talk about? You might not have noticed, but we don’t actually do much talking on Thursdays anymore. We mainly talk about our days and then have sex. Thursdays are officially my favorite day of the week." I smile and she lets out a soft laugh. "I think we’ve covered all the hard stuff and we’re both still here."
"Yes. We are getting along so well. Clearly, it’s time to move in together and start fighting about who should pay the electric bill and who left the cap off the toothpaste."
"I like those kind of fights," I tell her honestly. "Because I know they always end with me apologizing, even if I don’t mean it, and then you get naked."
"Leo James! I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that part about you not meaning it!" she shouts, making me laugh.
"Come on. Move in with me," I exaggeratedly beg. "Besides, I don’t like the idea of hiring a maid, so really this would be a win for me."
"And they say romance is dead," she deadpans.
"I love you, Sarah. You know I was joking…kinda." I wink. "But I’m serious about you moving in with me. I want you there all the time. I want to come home to you every night and know that you’re safely tucked into my bed when I’m away. I want a life with you, ángel."
"I’m wet," she replies out of the blue.
I sit blinking at the screen for a minute. My neck should ache from whiplash after that sudden change of topic. I’m reasonably sure she’s just trying to distract me, but I can’t say that I really care.