Page 76 of Love Felt Like This

She nods feverishly, reopening her laptop and loading another document. “I have episode two?” It’s a question, like maybe she’s unsure.

“Let me see.”

This time, she doesn’t hesitate to hand it to me.

I read it, strumming soft notes while I do, tinkering with strings in a way my fingers seem to need. I’m itchy with inspiration.

“That’s nice,” Beverly says. Her voice sounds just as sweet as the notes. Gentle. Bleary. Exhausted.

“Oh. Thanks.”

“Seems like Ava agrees.”

I didn’t realize it’d gone quiet. I look to see Ava asleep on the floor, lips parted as she lets out soft snores. Her hands still clutch a piece of pancake. Her right cheek puffs out, as if she fell asleep hoarding scraps. My sweet, tired little chipmunk.

Beverly whispers, “You know what? Let’s continue this tomorrow. Get some sleep while she does.”

I watch as Beverly’s eyelids start to droop as well. Her hair, so delicately pulled back, is starting to fall from its ponytail, pieces blending with her bangs. I reach out, tucking a strand behind her ear.

“I’ll sleep if you do too,” I murmur.

She gives an exhausted smile and nods. “Okay.” Then she leans closer and whispers, “That means I believe you.”

The balloon in my chest expands that much more. I smile back. “I know it does.”

We both stand from the couch, and her thigh touches mine once more as we shimmy past a sleeping Ava. Beverly reaches for the untouched coffee mugs. I place my hand over hers to stop her midair.

“I’ll clean up,” I say.

Even bleary-eyed, Beverly has this air about her. A sparkle in her green eyes. A flush to her cheeks. She turns for the door, and I reach over her head to open it for her, then slide my palm up and lean on the doorframe. She passes underneath. Her furry coat tickles my arm.

When she turns to say goodbye, she waves with her eyes closed. A chuckle bubbles up in my throat.

She’s a human cartoon.

She’s ridiculous.

She’s gorgeous.

“Hey, Bev?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re magic.”

She points at me. “I think you mean ‘It’s magical.’ ”

I slowly shake my head. “No. I meant what I said.”

Her cheeks flush a deeper pink as she blinks to herself. With a small confused smile, she turns around and steps off the welcome mat back toward the main house.

After I shut the door, I drop down on the couch and immediately pass out. Ava and I don’t wake up the next day until the sun has already risen. After I’ve dreamed of beautiful words that have nothing to do with alphabet letters but everything to do with furry purple coats, feathery blond hair, and green eyes.

Chapter Fourteen

Nice, Not Kind

Beverly