It’s just past 8:00 a.m. when my phone rings. The name Nathan lights up the screen.
I feel like I’ve been in a fight with Mike Tyson. I’m exhausted.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Hi.” His voice is deep and husky
My eyes well with tears at the familiar sound of his voice. “Nathe.” I sigh. “We need to talk.”
“I know. Can we have dinner tonight?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Okay.”
We both hang on the phone, not wanting to say goodbye, and I close my eyes in pain.
This is the beginning of the end; I know it.
I miss him already.
“Bye, Eliza. Have a nice day,” he says softly before the line goes dead.
* * *
The key turns in the door at 7:00 p.m., and I inhale deeply to try and calm my nerves. Nathan’s beautiful face comes into view and he smiles. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Seeing him in the flesh is a huge relief.
I miss him.
His eyes drop down my black dress. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” I twist my fingers nervously in front of me.
We stare at each other for a moment before he pulls me into a hug and we hold each other. I feel so fragile that I may burst into tears at any moment.
“It’s going to be okay,” he whispers against my temple, he must be able to sense how I’m feeling. “No matter what happens, it’s going to be okay.”
I pull back to look at him. “Is it?”
He forces a smile. “I promise.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the door. “The cab is waiting.”
“We’re taking a cab?”
“I need alcohol for this conversation.”
I smile softly. “Me, too.”
Our favorite Italian restaurant is dark and romantic, with candles adorning all the tables.
The waiter fills our glasses and leaves us alone. It feels weird to be intense and nervous. This is one of our favorite places, and we have so many happy memories here.
Nathan’s eyes are locked on me, it’s as if he’s expecting me to run at any moment.
“So?” I say.