Page 129 of Over the Edge

It took me far too long to learn that you can’t make someone love you. You can be everything they need and it doesn’t matter if you show up for them every time, they might never do the same.

Then one person finds you and their love is so loud you wonder why you craved anything quieter.

Evelyn chose me. And I get to choose how I love her. So, I’m going to love her out loud so there’s no doubt in her mind about how I feel.

“I love you. Dammit. I love you too. And it scares me, but I know that’s only because of how much I want this.” Tears start to well in her eyes and she falls into me, her face pressing in the fabric of my sweater. “And I really hope you mean all of that because I think my life is about to get very intense.”

My arms wrap around her, holding her and this moment as tightly as I can.

“Does that mean…” I let my words trail off.

“Yes, but I’d prefer that I don’t leak my secret at JFK in front of an audience,” she says, then pulls back from me to look around. Beyond the people in a rush, there are a few people waiting for rides that have definitely been listening in. “So, what if we go back to Hartsfall and talk?”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Evelyn and I get her car from airport parking then drive it to the garage where she stores it so we can head back to Hartsfall together. We stay in the city for lunch, going to a Thai place she suggests. Under the table her leg stays pressed to mine. Each time one of us adjusts the other follows suit so we are always connected. She might have come back, but I don’t have any intention of stopping myself from touching her to remind myself she’s here.

“I’m pretty sure Thai is the sixth essential food group,” she muses between a heaping fork full of flat Pad See Ew noodles.

I nod as I spear a piece of broccoli. “Yes, next to pizza, off-brand cereal, unlimited breadsticks, street tacos, and pasta.”

“The USDA should hire us to make the newest graphic to show in schools.”

“Because we are very qualified to do so,” I agree.

“Exactly, now all I have to do is find the right email.”

“The youth of America depend on it.” My phone vibrates in my pocket. I put down my fork and I’m ready to silence the call and send a text that I’ll call them back later until I see the caller ID.

“Emily?” I ask cautiously.

“Hey, Garrett,” Emily’s light, almost airy voice comes through. “I’ve got Alina here and she insisted that I call to tell you that she followed through on her end of the deal, whatever that means.”

“Can you tell me how she is?” I ask.

“Yeah, she gave me permission to. Actually, she insisted on making sure you knew that it wasn’t life threatening and I quote ‘has done just fine without men telling her what to do.’ It’s a cold. I am suggesting vocal rest,” Emily says, not sounding all that happy about playing messenger.

“I bet she loved the sound of that,” I say.

“She was more compliant than you’d think, but after we got through that part of the discussion she told me to call. Oh, yes, the last bit of what she wanted me to tell you.” She goes back to her notes. “Call Pat and fill in for her tomorrow at the festival.”

“I appreciate how she found a way to make it my problem,” I grumble.

“She told me if you said that to remind you that’s what you like to do.”

“Of course. Can you send me a list of anything I should pick up for her from the store?”

My phone buzzes with the incoming list then we say goodbye. I hang up and pinch my brow. There always has to be something,doesn’t there? But at least now the most important things are taken care of.

“All good?”

“Alina might have just bribed a doctor to lie to me, or she’s actually sick. I don’t know which one is better.”

“Is that legal? Actually, wait, don't answer that, I don’t want to force you into accidentally lawyering.”

I let loose a laugh. “Even if it isn’t, I’m not sure that matters. If she wants something, she finds a way to get it. I need to call Pat and tell her the Love Letter Festival curse has struck again.”

“Go make the call, I’ll pay.”

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