I’m starting to realize that maybe I have already been in love with Rain. At least for the past couple of years.
“If you want to believe this is fake, then that’s fine. I’ll follow your lead. I wouldneverdo anything against your will, but Rain…we are going to be together for two years. Do you really want to live the next two years as enemies? Strangers? I’m not asking for a miracle. I am well aware that we might not be compatible. All I am asking is for you to give this marriage a real shot. At least start with friendship. I have truly enjoyed sitting on the couch with you while you watch your shows. Spending time with you. All I want to know is if you feel the same.”
I leave it all out there on the floor. Now it’s up to her. This moment will change everything for us. Either she holds onto whatever hate she has for me in her heart, or she lets it go, and we start anew.
When she doesn’t answer after several minutes, I whisper, “Do you really hate me that much?”
She speaks so softly that I barely hear her answer.
“I don’t think I ever hated you either.”
Hope flares up inside of me.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
She frowns. “I don’t even know what friendship would look like for us, let alone going further.”
I reach across the table and take her hand in mine. The fact that she doesn’t immediately pull away makes me smile.
“I have a few ideas if you would like to hear them.”
She nods slowly.
I take a deep breath and lay all my cards on the table.
“We start off slow. Start spending more time together without the pressure of others. We can keep it to ourselves for as long as you want. You let me take you out on dates. As old-fashioned as it sounds, let me court you, show you who I am. You can show me who you are. Keep an open mind and see where this goes. If, in the end, we only have friendship, then I will consider myself lucky. If it ends up with us being more, I will know the gods have truly blessed me.”
The words hang in the air for a moment as she stares at me. Just stares at me with a look in her eyes that I can’t quite name.
“You’re serious,” she says after a moment.
“Deadly.”
Rain blows out a shaky breath as her hands move to the coffee cup that I’m sure has gone cold. Leaning back in my chair, I wait her out. I just threw her a curveball that I know she wasn’t expecting. The least I can do is give her a few minutes to process.
Her silence wouldn’t be so painful if it wasn’t for the ticking of the clock playing throughout the room. I always liked my old clock, but right now I could shoot it. It’s counting down to the most pivotal moment in my life. Counting down to a change. What kind, I’m not sure of yet, but I know when she’s ready, she will tell me.
I don’t know how long I wait, but when she turns toward me, I feel like my heart is about to beat out of my chest.
“Okay.”
One word. Two syllables.
I feel the world tilt on its axis.
Holy shit. She just agreed. I don’t know why, but I figured it would take more convincing. That I would have to wear her down over time. That she would make me jump through some sort of hoops that would be nearly impossible.
“Okay,” I rasp.
“You’re sure?” she asks hesitantly, a tone I’m not used to coming from her.
“Yes.”
“Then okay, but I have some conditions.” She steels herself.
I can’t help the smirk that fills my face. Of course she does. This is still Rain we are talking about. She might be willing to give me a shot, but that doesn’t mean she is letting me off easy.
No, the girl is going to make me work for it. I cannot wait.