Page 169 of The Love Operation

Benedict: [GIF of Michael Scott from The Office raising his eyebrows, leaning forward, and propping his chin on his hands.]

Me: [ on the GIF]

Me: He wasn’t the one for me.

Benedict: . . .

Benedict: [GIF of stuffed bear shifting its eyes side to side, wildly exaggerated]

Me: I’m scared to say anything more.

Benedict: Dr. Cordelia Wren scared of something? This is new.

Me: You scare me.

Benedict: You scare me.

Benedict: What do we do about that?

Me: Maybe . . . give me some time? I have a lot going on. I need to wrap my head around a few things.

Benedict: Absolutely. I’m not going anywhere.

Me: Okay.

Me: And . . . you meant what you said? At your house?

Benedict: I said a lot of things. But yes. Every single word was true.

Benedict: Especially the part where I told you I loved you and that I wanted to be with you. So if that’s what you’re asking, then yes, Spinal Cord—I am hopelessly in love with you, and I will wait as long as I need to (within reason) if there’s even the slightest chance you feel the same way.

It takes me a long time to respond because my heart has to start beating again.

Me: There’s the slightest hope.

Benedict: [GIF of Jim Carrey’s expectant face lighting up in Dumb and Dumber with the caption: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”]

Me: [GIF of Adam Levine slinking down in a chair and hiding behind his sweater]

A week later . . .

Me: What are you doing?

Benedict: Recovering.

Me: From what?

Benedict: Sanded down a banister for six hours today. My arms are useless noodles. If I drop this phone mid-text, know that I cared.

Benedict: [GIF of Bugs Bunny flexing, but the muscle droops like a noodle.]

Me: So if I challenged you to an arm wrestle right now, I’d win?

Benedict: Umm, I wouldn’t challenge you on my non-noodle days.

Me: That’s right, buddy. Screws don’t put themselves in spines.

Me: [GIF of Rosie the Riveter flexing her biceps in her blue coveralls and red bandanna.]