Page 44 of Happily Ever Laughter

Laughing with her, I nod. “Yeah, Becca really does have a thing for books about sugary sweet romance and flighty New York shopaholics.”

“We all need a little fluffy fun now and then,” Diana says. “Take the weekend off from all of your stress, then talk to Felix early next week.”

“You’re right. Thanks.”

“And if it turns out he put work, or his own company, or ego, above your feelings, at least you’ll know now instead of five years down the road.”

“That’s true.”

After Diana drives me home in her beautifully refurbished lavender car, I slowly drink a glass of water while thinking about what I want to say to Felix.

The fact that I miss him terribly shouldn’t make me as irritated as it does. When did I lose all control of emotions? Maybe when a brand new one appeared, in the middle of all of this stress.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I call him and leave a voicemail, relieved that he doesn’t pick up.

“Hey Felix, it’s Tanis. Listen – I feel that we’re moving too fast. Maybe it’s just me, and I’m nervous about a new relationship. Especially something as…intense as we are. But also I wonder if dating and working together might be a bad idea. I feel like we should spend a week apart so that we can sort things out. I know I’m being irrationally angry about the name thing, but I can’t help it. We feel what we feel, right? Anyway, I’ll text you next week. Bye.”

Stretching out on the rug, I sigh heavily. I thought it would make me feel better to get all of that out. Instead, the combination of fear, anger, worry, and desperation all combine into a spiky, heavy boot pressing on my chest.

If my insecurities have ruined everything, including a real shot at real love, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

~ Felix ~

Clunking.

No.

Banging.

No.

Knocking. Why is there knocking inside my head?

Bolting upright, sun is streaming in the windows and someone is knocking at my door. “What? Come in.”

The door opens slowly, and I blink hard as I focus on Oliver’s face. “Hey, Felix,” he says gently. “Are you alone?”

Even though I would be aware of nothing else but her soft, warm body if Tanis were here, I glance around the room. “Yeah.”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but you’ve been in here for at least twelve hours. We were getting worried. Dan had to open the gym, but he asked me to look in on you.”

“Tell me you have coffee,” I grumble.

“Sorry. The power was out all night. Just came back on two minutes ago, I can brew some now if it stays on.”

Scrambling for my phone from where I left it charging overnight, I see that it is at 1% battery. It was nearly totally dead when I plugged it in last night, so no wonder the alarm didn’t go off.

“Dammit,” I mutter. This neighborhood is wonderful until it’s seriously inconvenient. The random lack of water is one thing. But a power outage for more than a few hours? It’s like the stone ages out here.

“My phone is dead too,” Oliver says with a shrug. “But I’ll try to get you a coffee.”

“Thanks.”

Jumping up, I open my laptop, happy that it still has a ten percent charge, and that the Wi-Fi is back on. Quickly skimming my inbox, I’m relieved to see a note from the show editors.

Opening the JPEG, there’s a layout of the new credits, with a very clear line that says, “Video and animation by Tanis Johnson.”

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