Page 79 of Operation Annulment
Lawyer Lara rolls her eyes. “Okay, we’ll see what we can do.”
I roll my eyes back at her, adopting the same tone. “Well, that’s what I’m paying you for.”
“Nate!”
I wake up tangled in the sheets, my body dripping cold sweat. Myfever spiked when I left the lawyer’s office, and I was so foggy-headed that I couldn’t even see straight.
It would be nice if I didn’t dream of him every time I fell asleep. Instead, my brain insists on conjuring up images of a life we’ll never have.
The grief hits me the minute I open my eyes and stays with me until I lie down at night. I never realized how powerful of an emotion it was until now. I don’t need food or water. Grief is my only sustenance, and my tears quench my thirst.
I’m starting to sound like Sylvia Plath—one crisis away from sticking my head in the oven.
“Is she sick? I’m not trying to cause a problem; I just want to know she’s okay.”
Nate?
Great, now I’m hearing things because it isn’t enough to just dream of him anymore.
He is consuming me.
I kick the sheets off and stand up, swaying heavily. I use the wall for support and approach the living room, feeling like I’m on a boat, being tossed around on the ocean.
“Nate?” My voice is nothing more than a hoarse whisper.
There’s a giant standing near the front door, talking to someone on the other side. Maybe not a real giant, but this guy has got to be as tall as Zane—and that guy’s like a redwood.
Redwood…
I giggle weakly and continue moving at a snail’s pace.
The giant turns around. He’s a handsome giant—not at all like I expected. “Katydid, let’s get you back to bed.”
I point to the door. “No… it’s Nate.”
The door is pushed open, and I’m not crazy. It’s Nate—and he looks awful.
“Katy girl, can we talk?” He tries to enter, but the giant stops him with his arm.
“Sweetheart, you’re not well. You need to be resting.”
What an odd thing to say to another man.
Oh, he’s talking to me.
I shake my head. “Jolly Giant, I’m fine. See?” I take a step and immediately fall into the back of the couch.
Nate pushes past the giant and kneels beside me. “You’re burning up. Let me stay. Please. Let me take care of you.”
Before I can reply, he dissolves into the carpet.
“Come back!” I hoarsely scream, frantically digging at the carpet.
He’ll die if I don’t get him out.
The giant comes over and quickly lifts me into his arms. When he brushes the damp hair off my forehead, all thoughts of Nate disappear. It’s his eyes—a striking electric blue I’ve only ever seen on the detective and my sister.
“Grey?” I croak. “Is it you?”
