Kiss and Cry

“Being apart helped us know we were right together.”

I elbowed him playfully. “Now he’s stuck with me all day at work and at home.”

“Not stuck,” he said simply, and my heart swelled. Even after all these years, Henry’s little declarations made me stupidly happy.

“I won,” I said to myself.

As if I’d just been punched in the gut, I burst into tears.

I’d won, but Theo had lost, and I ached for him. He had to win too. I didn’t want him to be disappointed or angry or sad. I didn’t want him to hurt. Not ever.

Is this love?

As of today, it’s all business. Deal with it. Suck it up.

No, don’t think about sucking.