Page 44 of Puck & Make Up

Now, we’re both full of chicken and pasta and pie, and I’m sitting on the couch as he loads up the movie. Thank God he has a video game console to play it on, though I guess we could have streamed it from somewhere.

It wouldn’t have been the same, though.

Yeah, it’s silly, but I like this better.

There’s something about falling into the ritual of opening up a DVD case, pulling out the disc and putting it into the player, then sitting back as the movie’s home screen fills the TV screen that feels right.

“You know,” he says, pointing the remote at the screen and changing the input so that we see that home screen, “I know that I’ve been striking out on the whole job search thing, but maybe I’ve been focusing on the wrong thing.”

I tilt my head to the side, study him closely. “What do you mean?”

He sits down next me. “Have you ever thought about going back to school?”

My first instinct is to say no freaking way, but…

There’s something that stops me.

He tracks that hesitation.

“Well, that’s not an immediate no,” he says lightly.

“No, it’s not.” I let him tuck me into his side. “I just…”

“What would you want to study?”

“It’s silly,” I say, “but I always thought it would be interesting to take business classes.”

“Yes.” He snaps his fingers. “That’s perfect! Business management.”

“What?”

“The inventory at the bar. The new ordering system. Streamlining the kitchen. You’ve got Monroe’s working more efficiently than ever. And that wouldn’t just be a one-off. You’d be great at it.”

“I—”

He turns to me, huge smile on his face, and it calls to that kernel of excitement inside me.

“You know what? I think I could be.”

“Iknowyou would be,” he says, touching my cheek, “but no hard sell on my front. Think about it? Sit in it? And then if it feels right we’ll figure out the next steps?”

If it feels rightwe’ll?—

I love him.

I love this man, and I probably have for far longer than I’m willing to admit.

But before I can find the courage to give voice to that thought, the movie starts to play.

And then I’m sitting next to man I love, watching his favorite movie.

Pretty Woman.

The last thing I remember is the gorgeous Julia Roberts covered in bubbles.

The next thing I’m aware of is…

Movement.

---