If It Makes You Happy

by Julie Olivia

“I’m not going to burden you,” he says. “You’re not a burden,” I say softly.

“You’ve charmed me.” I roll my eyes. “See?” he says. “Your scowl, for one, is gorgeous.”

“Tell me another secret,” he murmurs, the question humming in my ear. “I’ve got too many,” I admit. “I don’t know where to start.” “I’ll take any I can get.”

I don’t know what our kiss might lead to. I don’t know if my leaving in two months will matter. Maybe we won’t stay in touch, or maybe we will. Maybe this will be something we can laugh about. There’s a lot of uncertainties, but one thing is for sure: I’m not uncertain about Cliff. He’s sarcastic and loud and open. He’s not buttoned-up, like Allen. But Cliff is more of a man than any of the self-proclaimed kind and altruistic men I’ve dated before. He’s more of a man than Allen ever was.

But in the center of the lobby is the only woman who could make a rainy day seem not half bad. Maybe it’s because she’s a bigger storm cloud, and I like that about her.

Through another choked exhale, he says, “Don’t get on the plane.” “What?” “Don’t get on the plane, Michelle.” “I don’t—” “I love you.”