He laughs, and he settles in beside me on the bed. His eyes scan the card in front of him, and he begins to read.
“I have spent the last year waiting to fill the empty hole in my heart. I waited and hoped that one day I wouldn’t feel the pain anymore. And then you came around, Evianna. You make me feel alive. I’ve spent the last year barely living. Barely breathing. I waited for someone like you. But it didn’t happen the way I imagined it would happen. I thought it would progress quickly, but instead, you found your way into my heart slowly, with each smile, each kind gesture to Bria, each time I heard your laugh. You chipped away at the ice surrounding my heart little by little, and pretty soon, all that was left to fill it was you. I will always love Isabel. Always. But you’ve managed to fill the empty hole in my heart in your own, unique way. I love you for that.”
I wipe the tears off of my cheeks. “Where is that quote from?” I say, joking. He laughs. “But in all seriousness… I love you, Nick.”
“I’m glad you’re saying that,” he says, and he stands up. “Because I have to fire you. Officially this time.”
“What?” I yell, and I try to sit up. The pain brings me back down, and I grimace. “Why?”
“Because I’m moving.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.
“Where?”
He laughs at my reaction.
“Remember how I was gone one day a week?”
“Yeah… you were teaching.”
“Well, they offered me a full-time teaching position in Portland. It’s a lot less money—I don’t think I can afford to keep you on,” he says playfully. “Luckily, the university has a full-time childcare program, and luckily, Bria loves the idea of daycare. And starting in September, she’ll be in preschool with the same children from the childcare. It’s a seamless transition for her. I think it’s for the best.”
“Oh,” I say, and I feel my heart starting to break. He’s moving?
“I inquired with the English department, and they’re in need of an assistant professor for a few of their British Literature classes. I put in a good word for you,” he finishes, winking at me.
What?
“What are you saying, Nick?”
“I’m asking you to move in with me. Move to Portland with me. I will have more free time to spend with you and Bria. Though I’m taking a major pay cut, so if you’re expecting a house like the one I own now, I guess you’d better—”
“Yes!” I shout. “I’d love to move in with you.”
He smiles, bending over gently to kiss me. Even though I’m totally drugged up, I feel the familiar heated sensation run from my stomach area and into the rest of my limbs. If I weren’t in so much pain, I’d run my hands through his hair and wrap my legs around his waist. But I settle on a chaste kiss instead, because pretty soon, word has spread that I’m awake, and I spend the next couple of hours being showered with love.
It’s the best feeling ever.
Fortyfour.
Evianna
-January 2015-
“Are you sure that’s everything?” My mom packs up her car with the last of my boxes. “Did you double-check?”
I sigh and lean against my crutches as my dad and Elijah come outside to say good-bye.
“It’s everything. And if not, I’m only a three-hour drive away.” I smile and go to hug my dad and brother, which proves to be quite difficult while balancing on one foot.
“Remember, South Korea is still an option,” my dad mumbles into my ear, and I roll my eyes.
“Dad, I’ll be fine. I’m teaching one day a week this semester to test the waters. I think I might go for my PhD in English. I like the sound of Professor Halle.”
“By then, it’ll be Professor Wilder,” Elijah says, and he smiles. “Just promise to make me the best man at the wedding.”
I punch Elijah’s shoulder lightly, and we laugh.
“Bye, my nugget,” I say, rubbing my hand in his hair. “Come visit me.”
“Evi, stop!”