Page 143 of Time Stops With You

“I’m a programmer, not a capitalist.”

“Says the guy who bought a building.”

“Fair point.”

“Enough stalling, Cullen.”

I finish with the shampoo and rinse out the suds, shielding her eyes with my hand. “I’m dying.”

She stiffens at my words.

I add, “My body gave me a reminder that my time is limited and I need to ramp up the pace.”

“What happened?” she demands.

“Ah-ah. You tell me first. Who was he?”

Nardi sighs. “He was my first love. We met in junior college.”

“In Belize?”

“Yes, in Belize. His family was wealthy and his parents had dual citizenship. They wanted him to study in the States, but he didn’t want to leave me. I couldn’t stand to be apart from him for a second either so I swore I’d be on the first flight out.”

“What happened next?” I ask, trying to remain even-keeled when I’m burning with jealousy. “Did you meet him?”

She leans slightly forward in the tub, chewing on her bottom lip. “Yes. Two months later, I saved enough for a ticket and followed him to America. My mom was furious. His parents hated me. We had opposition everywhere we turned, but we were determined to be together. He proposed to me and we had plans to get married before applying for my citizenship.”

“You were engaged?”

She tilts her head back. “I thought you did a background check?”

“An engagement isn’t exactly on a police report,” I grumble.

Nardi points to another bottle. “Use a lot of the conditioner and this comb to detangle.”

“Now who’s being bossy?”

“You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”

A laugh bursts from me. In the hospital, I felt like a cadaver. But now that I’m with Nardi, I finally feel like a human being. Every heartbeat, every breath, it’s sharper. Clearer.

I’m alive.

“What broke your engagement?” I ask.

A dark cloud descends over her, chasing away the laughter.

“You first. What was the reminder that you’re dying?” she asks.

“I blacked out and had to be rushed to the hospital,” I say matter-of-factly.

Water sloshes out of the tub as Nardi sits straight up.

“I’m fine.” I tell her. That’s only half true, but I’m keeping that part to myself.

“When?” Nardi frowns.

“I’m okay now, Nardi.”

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