Page 112 of A Win-Win Situation

"What do you mean?"

"I’m happy. Everything with you feels right and it scares me so much because the last time I was happy, everything changed and it broke me into pieces. Pieces I’ve been slowly putting together again while being around you."

"What are you afraid will happen?"

"I’m afraid I’ll break again, and this time, I won’t have enough energy to put myself back together." I look him straight in the eyes, and his frantic gaze softens. He turns his head and kisses both of my palms.

"I won’t break you, Leora. If I ever hurt you, I hope the ground opens up and swallows me whole." Lucas uses his hand to push away the hair that has fallen in front of my face. "I’m happy, too." His confession hits home. It’s the words I’ve been wanting to hear for a while.

"You are?"

He leans down and kisses my nose. "Yes, you make me very happy, Leora Ayoub."

Not Leora Davis. Leora Ayoub.

It’s the first time he’s called me that.

He gave me his name.

THIRTY-NINE

LEORA

As the following days pass, we slip into a routine. The rhythm brings a comforting stability as each day is painted with shared laughs and intimate moments. There’s a sense of security and belonging, like I’ve passed the point of no return with him.

He doesn’t know it yet, but in a way, Lucas is healing everything broken inside of me, and I’m finally starting to feel like a whole person again.

Never had I thought that I would feel this way about him, or that he would feel anything other than annoyance against me. Ever since our argument, that led to us finally expressing what we felt, everything has been like a dream. It’s like a switch has been turned on. With every tender gesture and every stolen glance, he shows me something I never thought possible. It's as though our connection runs deeper than words can express, like he's mending the pieces of my soul that were fractured long before he came into my life.

He has a way of making me feel cherished, seen, and valued. Not just for who I am in his eyes, but for who I am becoming with him by my side.

But will this last? Should I be happy in the moment and not think about the agreement and the ticking deadline?

I have so many questions. I wish I had my girls here; I need them to push me, to help me, and to tell me what to do. So I pick up my phone and text them.

Me

I miss you.

Adeline

I miss you more, babe.

Sophie

I miss you too, hun.

How are you?

Adeline

Yeah, how’s it going with the husband?

Still annoying?

Me

Well, actually…

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