Page 106 of Rewrite Our Story

“They’ve loved everything up to the halfway mark. I don’t have to do any rewrites which means I can start writing the second half.”

“Maybe it’s time I try to come out there soon?” he offers. “Once things die down a little bit here and I can give Dad a break, I’ll come see you. It’s been too fucking long.”

I nod. The longer I’m here, the more I realize that I want to be able to write books, but I’m not sure I always want to write them here. “I’d love to have you come visit. I’d love to just see you. It’s been almost two months.”

“I’ll be there,” he says, with conviction in his voice.

“Guess what?” he asks, repeating the question I just asked him.

“What?”

“I love you. Nothing will change that. No matter how much I miss you.”

“I love you, too.”

57

MARE - PRESENT

My phone vibrateson the other side of the room. I hid it over there on purpose so I would get some work done. The book is close to being done, and I don’t want anything to distract me.

After realizing I went down a rabbit hole for over an hour looking at puppy videos that somehow turned into watching other people organize their house while my apartment was a disaster, I had to resort to drastic measures.

But my phone vibrates again, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s Cade. It’s late and normally he’s asleep. We’d said goodnight to each other earlier…but I just have to check.

Annoyed by my lack of willpower to stay focused while finishing the last ten chapters of the book, I set my laptop aside and walk over to my phone.

I smile when I do see the messages are, in fact, from Cade.

CADE

I miss you.

At night is when it really hits. When I think about how I used to be able to reach across the bed and pull your soft body against mine.

I can’t stop thinking about you.

MARE

You need to sleep.

CADE

It’s getting harder and harder to sleep without you.

MARE

What if you pretend I’m there?

The bubbles pop up like he’s typing something, but then they disappear. I frown for a moment, wondering if he isn’t going to say anything back. Just when I’m feeling disappointed, they pop up again.

CADE

Only if you pretend I’m right there with you.

MARE

If you were next to me, what would you do?

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