Page 115 of See You Next Tuesday

It was different from how things were on Orcas, when he’d felt like she needed him mostly because she was having such a hard time in her own life. This was something else. It was like she’d finally peeled back her armor, had shown him that he lived inside her consciousness the same way she lived in his.

They didn’t talk anymore about the podcast; after what happened in the shower, it felt kind of beside the point. Actually, they didn’t talk much for the whole next day; it was the quietest they’d ever been together. They ordered Thai food, answered emails. They sat on the couch watching movies, whatever holiday stuff was on cable, napping beneath a shared blanket. Gabe wanted to live in this stillness for as long as possible, breathing her scent, feeling her warmth as she dozed on his chest.

When they got into bed that night, their sex felt quieter too—not in a bad way. It had that same enchanted quality, like they’d slipped through a secret portal into their own private world. They moved so gently they could feel every inch of each other, hear each intake of breath, each whispered promise. Afterward, as she lay in his arms, he fought to stay awake. He was so drowsy and satisfied, but also keenly aware that he had to go back to work in the morning. He didn’t want to close his eyes and get there faster.

“I wish I knew when I’ll see you again,” he murmured, but she didn’t respond. “Anya?”

He nudged her the tiniest bit, but she didn’t stir. He couldn’t imagine how exhausted she was; he was more tired than he’d ever been in his life, and he only ever commuted as far as the office and back. He settled down into the pillows, and she nestled a little nearer to him in her sleep—he always loved it when she did that. It was the greatest feeling, knowing that even when she was unconscious, she still wanted to be close to him.

When his alarm went off at six the next morning, he hoped she might want to shower with him again, but she slept right through the alarm, and he couldn’t bring himself to wake her. She finally padded into the kitchen when he was dressed and making coffee. She was wearing one of his T-shirts and rubbing her eyes, her hair all messy from sleep.

“You look hot.” He grinned, and she laughed.

“Don’t make fun of me,” she grumbled. She still seemed sleepy as she settled into his arms for a hug.

“I’m not.” He kissed the crown of her head. She sighed softly, and he suddenly felt the most horrible tightness in his chest. His body must have gone tense, because she looked up at him with concern.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t want to go.” He shook his head. “I don’t want you to go.”

She looked pained too, but he could see she felt differently than he did. He smiled at her.

“You miss Jo, don’t you?” he asked. “You finally get three days off the trail, and you already want to be back on it.”

“It’s possible I’m a psychopath,” Anya sighed.

“Yes, but you’re my favorite psychopath.” He kissed her. “And you’re running a great campaign. I hope you’re really proud.”

She gave him a mischievous little grin that made him want to throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to his bedroom.

“Nah,” she said. “I’ll be proud when we win.”

Thread posted on BlueSky by @MatesPrognosticates, January 19

@MatesPrognosticates—7:40pm—Already seeing signs Iowa isn’t going the way Wheeler hoped, Story County (home of Ames and Iowa State) delivering huge for Sessego

@MatesPrognosticates—8:09pm—Hearing five Democrats will suspend campaigns tonight, only candidates left will be Wheeler, Sessego, Liddy, and Nathan

@MatesPrognosticates—8:54pm—With a little more than half of the vote in, here’s where we stand:

Wheeler—38%

Sessego—35%

Liddy—12%

Nathan—9%

Other—6%

@MatesPrognosticates—9:23pm—Results tightening, Sessego comms director Preethi Mishra just gave a statement that Sessego won’t speak until we know more. They expect several major counties to break their way and think they have a shot to win

@MatesPrognosticates—10:07pm—Vote totals are close to final, Wheeler’s lead is down to one point and looking like it could be a tie in the delegate count, maybe he picks up one or two over Sessego but no more than that, huge upset

@MatesPrognosticates—10:12pm—Wheeler speaking now to declare victory

@MatesPrognosticates—10:26pm—Sessego crowd is RAUCUS as she takes the stage, she says this is just the beginning, thanks Iowa and tells New Hampshire they’re next