Life Derailed

by Beth Merlin

“But after reading your article, the words that only you, Remi Russell—with your life experiences, authenticity, and empathy—could have crafted, I realized that nobody else, especially not a machine, could have told that story. And then after hearing that something I created hurt you . . .” He swallowed hard before locking eyes with mine. “I’m just glad that Maude . . . that I . . . wasn’t the reason you left. I would have never forgiven myself, especially because I think I’m falling in love with you.” “Jason . . .” “No, it’s okay. It doesn’t make much sense to me either. We haven’t even been out on an actual date, and yet I find myself thinking about you all the time. When Emily died, I just accepted I’d never have those feelings again, so when they showed up in the form of the woman I was squaring off with at work, it caught me completely off guard. So off guard, in fact, that I couldn’t help but declare how much I needed her on the corner of a busy intersection the other day.” His cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson.

“That I thought I’d never have those feelings again either. That I . . . I was caught off guard too. I realized somewhere between our push and pull and the little moments we’ve shared over these past few weeks”—I glanced down, making a show of eyeing my shirt and his—“we were really connecting, and it was getting harder and harder to pretend there wasn’t something developing between us. I know we have more ground to cover in getting to know one another, but I’d like to.”

Upon my return, I flashed him a devilish grin and leaned in to press my cheek against his and whisper seductively into his ear. “So how about it, Ashbloome—you DTF?” I cooed, my breath warming his neck. He snapped back as if he’d misheard me, his eyebrows almost flown completely off his forehead. “Um . . . am I what?” I drew back, the corners of my mouth fighting a smile. “DTF? Down to fieeestaaa!” Shaking my new maracas in the air, I drew his attention to the long conga line now snaking around the dance floor. “Don’t tempt me with a good time.” His face broke into a wide grin as he took my waist and urged me on with a jut of his chin. “And don’t you know by now, Russell? Where you lead, I will follow. Always. Olé!”