It's a Love Story

by Annabel Monaghan

I have a quick thought that he looks like a bed you’d want to climb back into on a Sunday. Because it’s raining outside, and your body just wants to sink back into the warmth.

The blue of the shirt and the smile both do something to his eyes. No, not really better.

When I laugh, he leans in, not away. When he leans back in his chair, he places a hand on the back of mine. I try on the feeling, just for a second, of what it would be like to belong to him.

“I was, before I found out you’re the worst.” He smiles like he loves being the worst.

“I’m kidding, it’s terrible. But you should leave your hair curly. It’s soft around your face. I like it.” “Oh,” I say and press my lips together.

There’s something about the way he’s looking at me that makes me think an impossible thing: I am interesting and true and beautiful. I like this thought so much that I have to look away.

“When you smile at me, I feel like I want to capture it. But it’s not the regular way like when I see something beautiful and I want to photograph it. When you smile, it does something to me, I feel it in my chest, and I just want to figure out how to get you to do it again.”

I CANT

“It’s the best smile, but more than that, I just like thinking you’re happy.”

“Everything is different with you, Jane. I feel like I never shut up.”

“Like fireworks but also talking and I like him so much I can barely function.”

He smiles a little bit, and I can feel it all over my body. I love him.

You’re beautiful when you’re having big emotions.”

“I think you’re amazing,” he says. He’s looking right into my eyes when he says it.

“I find you exceptionally lovable.”

“I like how I can look at you and see a whole world inside your eyes, smart things and funny things that I’ll get to hear if I’m lucky. I feel really lucky being here with you like this.”

“I’d like to be the person who could take all of your sad things and make them happy. Like I’d hunt down each one and turn it over.” “I don’t think anyone is that person for anyone,” I say. “I don’t think so either. But I’d like to be that person for you.”

crying

I think what I want to say is I’d do anything for you.

This movie is so Dan—quiet and warm, like you want to climb right into it and stay forever.

But being with you was the most beautiful thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“And I love that you follow your heart around looking for beautiful things. I love that you’re quiet, because when you do say something, it’s perfect. I love that you want to make things that matter. I love that you know how much you matter.”

“No one else has ever said a word about my smile. I think I only smile like that when I’m with you.”

Dan feels like the place from which I’ve launched and the place I want to keep going home to.