Page 302 of Falling Backwards
“Hey,” I call back.
“How was work?”
After I’ve shed my coat and keys and shoes, I go to her.She’s drying a saucepan, obviously cleaning up after cooking since a delicious aroma hangs in the air; whatever she made for us smells good.Her hair is up in a messy bun.She’s cozy-looking in leggings and my old Snow Patrol sweatshirt.
So lovely.
Her face is lovely, too, as she regards me with patience.It takes me a second to remember she asked how my shift was.
How do I say it?
I start with, “Well….”
Maggie sets the saucepan and hand towel aside.She opens her arms to me and I go right into them, eager as hell for a hug from her.
We sigh and hum into the embrace.I could just melt right here—so could she, judging by how she snuggles into my arms.Banding them a little more securely around her, I drop a peck of a kiss to the first place on her neck I can reach.
“Things were that bad?”she murmurs.
Stomach flipping, I draw a slow breath.Draw out of our hug, kiss her cheek on the way.She chases me and stamps her lips to my cheek, too, getting a chuckle out of me.
I look at her and decide the best thing to start with is, “Mr.Polk talked to me a little while ago.”
It’s funny how hope, nervousness, and steadiness etch themselves into her expression like they rolled through me earlier; she really is with me on this.All of it swirls in her moss-green eyes as she rubs at my waist with gentle yet comforting hands.
“Oh, yeah?”she asks.“About the job opening?”
I nod.
“What did he say?”
She’s so beautiful here in front of me.So soft and calm despite her nerves.So ready to support me no matter what has happened.
I spend many good, long moments appreciating her.
Then I take her hands from my waist, pull them around between us, give them a squeeze…
…and break out into a grin.
EPILOGUE
AFTER TEN-AND-SOME MONTHS
M A G G I E
Life is so…
…interesting.
Surprising.Crazy.
Things happen that don’t make any sense.Other things happen that seem not to make any sense and then, after a while, have you realizing they make all the sense in the world.
And you think you have some things figured out, think you understand how stuff works, think you know exactly who you are and what you want—and don’t want—until something comes along…a person, a situation, a mere moment…and gives you enough pause for change to begin.
