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Jonsie barks out a laugh at my expense, shaking her head like I’m an idiot.
“That’s a heart, idiot. Look, see?” She tilts the phone toward me, pointing out how the less than sign and the number three when placed next to one another form a sideways heart.
“That’s stupid. Why wouldn’t she just use the heart emoji?”
“Her phone updated the other day and now her emojis and GIFs won’t work. Mom said we could take her to the store tomorrow to see if they can fix it since you know Mrs. Burke won’t do it.” J returns her attention to her conversation, her fingers flying across the screen as they continue to exchange texts with lightning speed.
I rise from my seat, draining the last of the milk from my bowl before depositing the dish in the sink. “She knows she can spell the word out, right? I know Daph’s a little slow on the uptake, but I’m sure she can manage the word love.”
“Stop being a dick.”
“Language,” I warn, earning me a roll of her eyes. Making my way back to the counter, I swipe my phone and keys before stuffing them in my pockets. “I gotta go scoop Rico. You good here?”
“Yeah,” she nods, waving me off. “Mom will be back from the store in a few. I’m gonna run errands with her today.”
“Sounds good.” I extend my hand out to meet hers, her fingers wiggling against my own.
“Woogity woogity,” we chant in unison.
“I’ll let you get back to texting Daph. It’s been almost forty seconds since your last message. Don’t want the two of you to go through withdrawal.”
“You’re not funny!” she shouts after me as I make my way toward the foyer.
“Make sure you tell Daph how much you less than three her!” I call out over my shoulder, laughing when I hear her talking shit as I exit the front door.
***
NOW
DAPHNE
“I love you, Daphne,” Nicky proclaims, pulling me flush with him. “Your mind, your heart, your drive, your soul… Everything you are captivates me. You’re the driving force behind all that I do. All I’ve ever wanted in this world was to keep you safe. I’m sorry I spent so long running from us, demon. But I promise, if you give me a shot, I will stand and fight for us each and every day for the rest of our lives. You once told me you ran to me when you felt lost because I was able to remind you of who you are. Daph, you’re the only one who’s ever seen the real me. Take a chance on me, baby, and neither one of us will ever lose our way again.”
Nicky’s mouth fuses with mine in a soul-searing kiss that I feel all the way through the tips of my toes.
He loves me. Nicky loves me. His declaration pounds against the wall of insecurities the years have constructed around my heart, fighting to weaken their hold on me. I’ve spent years dreaming of this day. He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted. The only man I’ve ever loved. I want to be strong enough to take this leap with him. Though, now that I know what those words sound like on his lips, I’m terrified of a world where I offer myself up completely, only to have him change his mind once again.
I won’t survive it this time. I know it.
“Talk to me, demon,” Nicky whispers against my lips, stroking the hair that’s slipped free from my updo back from my face.
“I love you.” My words cause him to lean into me, his body practically sagging in relief. “I’ve always loved you, Nicky. That’s never been the issue.”
“Then tell me what the problem is, and we’ll fix it.”
“The problem is you struggle to commit. What if I jump into this with you and a month from now… a year from now… ten years from now, you decide this isn’t for you?” Planting my hand against his chest, I take a step back. “I believe you love me. I do. I just also believe you’re not entirely sure what you want in life, and that’s a big gamble to take when my heart’s been broken one too many times.”
“Have you added any wishes to that unicorn?”
I glance down at the statue I’m still clinging to, a bit thrown by his question.
“No, there’s just the one you put in there.”
“Two.”
“Hmm?”
“There’s two of my wishes in there. The first I added before I gave it to you.” Gripping hold of the porcelain head, Nicky pulls it from my grasp before smashing it at our feet. The thick white shards scatter about the rooftop as Nicky’s quick to trap the two slips of white paper under his shoe, preventing them from blowing away.
