The side of my mouth lifted into a smirk as I opened it. How was it possible for someone to show so much of their sweet personality through a single subject line?
Selfishly I hoped that her declaration had nothing to do with the boyfriend and everything to do with the box of treats I’d sent her.
My eyes were so greedy for her words, as always, I had to force myself to slow down and focus on one line at a time.
I heard myself gasp.
She’d been invited to theTerraFormativereunion fan segment.
My eyes moved so fast my brain couldn’t process.
She was invited becauseobviously. Kate had more subscribers for her TF fan fiction than any other author on the entire site. She had artists begging to create fan art for her stories, just to be close to her greatness. She was an amazing storyteller. None of this surprised me. Her effervescent joy bubbled off the page so much I couldn’t fight back a grin. My chest ached with pride and hope and excitement for her.
Then the implications hit me. She would be going to LA. She had been invited to the same special I had just turned down. She was going to the twentieth-anniversary reunion.
My mind began to whirl on every possible door opening to a different future. I could see her in person. After all this time talking with her. I could just be in the same room as her. I wouldn’t do anything. I didn’t want anything to change. I couldn’t tell her the truth, especially not now, but I could see her in person. I could be near her.
It could be enough. It had to be enough. I couldseeher. One year and ten months of talking.
I quickly wrote out a reply. I wanted to take more time, convey my pride and joy for her, but I wasn’t skilled with words. Not like her.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Em said, causing me to jump for the second time today.
I shut my laptop with a loud snap.
“I’ll go. I’ll do the reunion,” I said.
Her eyebrows jumped, and her mouth fell open. “Oh. Okay. Brilliant!”
13
Kate
I was still vibratingwith energy by the time Pete got to my apartment. There was a hop in my step as I ran to greet him at the door.
“You’re never going to guess what just happened!” I shouted as I let him in.
“Okay, calm down, calm down. I just walked in.” He sniffed the air. “No dinner?”
I shifted on my feet. “Not yet. I’ve been distracted. I’ll order some takeout or something.”
He sighed. “Okay. You’re lucky I love you so much.”
He’d said the “L” word first, when we’d only been dating a couple weeks. I’d still not returned the sentiment. I wasn’t ready, but he said he was patient.
“It’s just that—” I started, but he held up a hand.
“Kate. Come on. Let me sit down for a minute. Work was insane. I need a drink,” he said.
I quelled my excitement. “Sure.” And ran to the fridge to get things moving along.
I reminded myself that Pete had to work late, and I assumed he had forgotten my birthday judging from the lack of flowers or a gift. I’d honestly forgotten too, even though I’d taken the day off. Gail sent flowers, and RC sent a huge box of funky British snacks that had me smiling. But nothing compared to the adrenaline pumping through my veins from the email I’d received this morning.
Pete was easily overwhelmed if I showed a lot of emotion. More and more lately it felt like I acted too loud or said the wrong thing. Was it too much to ask that he be excited about my interests?
A little voice warned that I was unconsciously comparing Pete to RC, and that wasn’t fair. Of course, online friendships were easier to maintain. If I was around RC all the time, I’d probably wear on his nerves just the same as I did Pete’s. I wondered if RC had gotten my email yet. What had he thought of the invitation? I realized I’d zoned out thinking of RC again. Not the first time that’d happened lately. In fact, it’d been happening with greater frequency. Another slither of guilt. I pushed away thoughts of RC.
I waited for Pete to get settled in front of the TV when I brought him a beer.
