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.