Look the Part

by Jewel E. Ann

I glance out the window over her shoulder because I can’t look at her without staring at her.

“See you tomorrow. We’ll start planning my going-away party.” I wink before turning and grabbing my bag and Mozart. “For my party…” I walk toward my car without another glance back “…think about wearing a three-piece suit. I love what you have on today.” I whistle a cat call. “Mmm mmm … but the addition of a vest like you wore the day we met could make my panties fall right off.”

She tastes like forgiveness and feels like freedom. And she sounds like a prayer, humming against my mouth—not a moan, an actual tune that I don’t recognize. Her eyes drift shut, back arched and lips parted with her head turned to the side as I sink into her.

“So …” she says. “About this date …” I laugh. “You mean the no-sex, no-physical-contact date?” “Yeah, that one. Are you going to call me, text me, or pass me a note at work?” “I’m offended you find me so unoriginal. I usually go for skywriting, but I’d bet you’d rather jump from the plane than have it write you a message, since you’re so cool.”

“Never regret loving someone. Do it for you, not for them.”

I want to be his greatest strength—and his greatest weakness.

“Do it,” I whisper. “Move Heaven and Earth.”

“It’s not stupid. Just say it.” I take a few seconds to reel in the burst of emotions so I can get all the words out before falling apart again. “I love you, so don’t die in a plane crash. Don’t change your mind. Don’t sleep with another woman. Don’t think about me getting fat or getting stretch marks. Don’t ruin your relationship with Harry to be with me. But be with me. Gah! I know that sounds impossible. But …” He kisses me. And kisses me. And kisses me until I could faint. “Heaven and Earth,” he whispers over my tear-stained face. I nod and sniffle. “God … you sure do look the part, Flint Hopkins.”

There’s nothing more exhausting than the unsolvable.