“Three, you have to tell me ‘the good news.’ If that was the bad, then I’m really excited about it.”
“You shouldn’t be.” He smirked and picked up a piece of paper, handing it to me. “The good news was that I priced those vases that you knocked over and broke a few weeks ago during your tirade in my office. The good news is also that I received a very affordable invoice that will replace said vases and the Twizzlers.”
I gave him a blank stare.
“You owe me two hundred and eighteen dollars, along with thirty-four cents. That covers everything, including four bonus packs of Twizzlers,” he said. “Now, I can deduct this from your final check that you’ll be receiving today, or I can fuck the shit out of you on my chaise until you apologize for the damage.”
“Garrett,” I said, somewhat concerned about this sweets addiction. “Are you joking right now?”
“Not at all.” He smiled and leaned back. “What’s it going to be?”
“Well, they’re both quite appealing, but I think I’ll go with option two.”
“I thought so.” He kissed me. “I’ll cancel my appointment. Get up and lock the door ...”
A FEW YEARS LATER...
THE RESIDENT
(Well, THE DOCTOR because I’m licensed now)
New York, New York
Natalie
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Subject: Anniversary.
I truly can’t believe that I’ve been dating this man for over four years...Can you?
I got your “Congratulations” card this morning, and I’ll bring you back a dessert from our celebration dinner later.
Goodnight.
Natalie
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Subject: Re: Anniversary.
I can definitely believe you’ve been dating ‘this man’ for over four years. The way the two of you have kept me up almost every night with your ridiculous fucking has made time go by ever too slowly for me...
Don’t bring me back any dessert, just give me some sleep by spending the night at his place tonight. PLEASE AND THANKS!
Goodnight.
Shan-Shan
––––––––
I laughed and slipped my phone into my purse, looking over at Garrett as he coasted through Manhattan’s streets.
“Are you going to continue to insist that we go to Per Se for every milestone and celebration?” I asked.
“Yes.” He smiled at me. “I think it’s important that we make this a tradition.”
“Or, your ego still has yet to recover from me standing you up, years ago,” I said. “It was years ago, Garrett. I really think it’s way past time for you to get over it.”
“I am over it.” He placed his hand on my thigh. “Do you not want to go there anymore?”
I didn’t bother answering that. He knew that I loved everything about Per Se, especially since he’d made it his personal mission to take me there once a month ever since I returned to Manhattan Medical.
“You have yet to answer my question about moving in with me,” he said when we approached a stoplight. “You said you would decide right after you became licensed, so speaking of things that happened years ago...”
“I’ve only been licensed for one year.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you promised to give me an answer.” He pulled the car into a spot the restaurant owner had long designated just for him. “I need an answer, Natalie.”
“Right now?” I’d been leaning toward yes, but I honestly enjoyed the state of our relationship as it was. Now that I was licensed and had steady working hours, I met him at his office for breakfast every morning, saw him for regular date nights every weekend, and he didn’t seem to have a problem staying the night at my place more than I stayed at his.
Until recently, that is.
“Okay...” He turned off the car and cupped my face in his hands. “What’s holding you back from saying yes?”
“Commitment,” I said softly.
“Commitment? I’m only dating you, and I’ve only been dating you for years.”
“No, I mean...More than that.” I admitted. “Moving in together is a big step, and I would just want to be engaged at least before doing that.”
“I see...” He let go of my face and leaned back in his seat, sighing. Then he unbuckled his seatbelt.
“In that case,” he said, smiling and tapping a small box that was protruding from the inside of his breast pocket. “I fully expect a ‘yes’ after dinner tonight...Two of them.”
**THE END**
A Letter to the Reader