Page 32 of Time Exposure

And soon, very soon, I will be near her again. See her again. Breathe her in again. Touch her again. Because we haven’t reached the end of our road. Not by a long shot. Anyone who tells me otherwise is a fool.

Shortly after I turn off the lamp, I fall asleep under the same stars I did almost thirteen years ago. Stars that spark my mind to dream of the most beautiful woman. The woman I love. The woman I have to win back. No matter what it takes.

When I wake in the morning, Mom is in the kitchen cooking us breakfast. As I sit at the breakfast bar, she slides a plate of eggs, sausage, and toast in front of me. The last woman to make me breakfast was Cora. And I laugh, remembering my first taste of meatless sausage.

“What’s so funny?” Mom asks.

I share my story with her and she laughs too. So many things have changed over the years, yet one thing remains the same and true. My love for Cora. And no matter how much has changed for either of us, I will love her regardless.

Mom and I finish breakfast, then talk about my new agent and how I plan to stay with Micah until I buy a new house. I help her with the dishes and then we prepare to leave. The drive to the airport goes faster than usual. Before realization sets in, Mom and I hug at the departure drop-off. After someone honks their horn, we break apart.

“Call me when you land, please.”

“I will, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too, honey.” For a moment, I stand rooted in place and stare as her car exits the airport drop-off.

This is it. The day I have been waiting for. Today, I am going home.

* * *

One of the hardest things I have ever done is sit on my ass and do nothing. Literally, nothing. Especially when I could be out there, trying to win back the love of my life.

But somehow, Micah has convinced me to sit in his house and be patient. To bide my time. The only thing keeping me sane is searching the internet for houses. Several nice houses have sparked my attention, but none of them give me a sense of fulfillment. And I think the reason is Cora.

If I buy a new home, I want Cora to be a part of the process. To hear her opinions on the appearance—inside and out. Get her input on which kitchen she likes better. If the house gets enough light or has the right number of trees. Or maybe which house she pictures us growing old in together. Which house she imagines us raising children and grandchildren in, their little feet trampling through a large back yard and playing on swings.

I slap my laptop shut and stop staring at houses. No matter what I do to occupy my time, every piece of my life always circles back to Cora. She is literally in every thought I own—awake and asleep.

Turning on the television, I search for something to watch. When I scroll through the guide and see Lord of the Rings, I laugh. If the cosmos aren’t trying to tell me something, I don’t understand what the hell is happening. One sign after another pops up. From the second I decided to mend my mistakes and our past, fortune has been on my side. And after seeing this, I vow to not spend another day sitting on this couch, bored out of my skull, doing nothing.

Just as I start watching the movie, Micah bursts through the front door. “Guess what?” he asks, a little out of breath.

“Whatever you’re dying to tell me must be good if you’re out of breath.”

Micah flips me off. “Well, I was about to give you the best news since your return yesterday, but now I think I’ll wait.” He cocks his head and smirks.

Fucker.

“Don’t be a dick. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.” I frown at him for a half second, but the sarcasm doesn’t go unnoticed. “What were you going to say?”

He stares at me a minute, tapping a finger against his lips. “A little birdie told me a specific photographer will be out and about tomorrow, taking photos.”

At his words, I fly off the couch and grab his face. Practically throttling his skull off his spine. “Where? Tell me where.” My voice frantic while my body sings.

“Ah, ah, ah. Not so fast. Tit for tat, my friend.” Micah waggles his finger in front of my face.

I drop my hands from his face. “What could I possibly do for you?” At this point, I would do just about anything to see Cora again. Sitting in this house is making me nutty.

“How about you just owe me one in the future? Deal?” Micah asks.

Definitely a deal I can’t pass up. “Deal,” I say. Micah extends his hand and we shake on it.

A minute later, Micah shares with me all the details Shelly told him about Cora’s shoot tomorrow. Shelly knows I have been back in town since yesterday, but Micah asked her to not make Cora aware. But by Shelly knowing I returned home, she and Micah have been secret go-betweens for me. Their sibling bond has never been better and I love how much they are team Gavin-and-Cora-together-again.

Later, when I try to fall asleep on the couch, I spend an hour planning how I will surprise Cora. I have it all mapped out in my head. But the hidden weight in my wallet makes me second-guess what might go down.

My only hope is she doesn’t run the opposite direction.

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