Mate

by Ali Hazelwood

“You have no idea, kid.” I cross my arms. “Should you be calling me ‘kid,’ given the situation?” “I’m not married to it. What would you prefer?” “Well, there’s always my actual name. But if you insist on a nickname, I’d prefer something with a bit more . . .” “More?” “More teeth.” His eyebrow rises. “Root canal?” “No. Come on, you know what I mean. Something that inspires fear.” “Real estate market crash.”

“Word of advice, killer?” he murmurs. “Stubborn and stupid is just a couple letters’ difference.” “You’re not the best speller, are you?”

“I’ll be back tomorrow morning. If anything happens to me, what do you do?” “Buy a black veil, pretend I’m a widow, cash in on your life insurance.”

Maybe I could grab a fork from the kitchen, fall upon it, and encounter a swift and merciful death.

But I love him so much. Almost as much as he loves me.”

He sighs. Tightens his hold on me. “Such a fucking nuisance.” I wonder why it took me until this very moment to realize that it’s been his way of saying I love you all along.

His heart, in another body.