Page 96 of Tony

“Until she showed back up again.”

“Yeah.”

“And then what did you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“What did you feel when you saw her?”

“Anger. All over again. So much anger. Rage. I couldn’t…”

“Sleep?”

“Yeah.”

“And now you can.”

“Well, I’m not sure one night makes a pattern, but I sure the fuck hope so.”

She throws the sheet off her and crawls across the bed to sit next to me. Her arm slips around my waist and her fingertips begin rubbing small circles against my stomach. “Tony?”

“Hmm?” I say, enjoying the way her touch makes me feel.

“You were not good to her.”

“I know that.”

“And now you’re sorry.”

I think about that for a moment. “I’m sorry for what, though? Because I don’t feel sorry, Soshee.”

She laughs. “Damn, dude. That’s harsh.”

“I know! Trust me, I get it. I’m a total asshole. But I don’t feel bad about the past. I just... don’t. Like I said, that feels like an investment. And I’m just… not invested in her. And now you probably think I’m lying and I’ve got some hidden feelings. And I hate that.” I turn to look at her. “I really hate that,” I whisper. “Because you, Soshee Ameci? You… you… you.”

“Me, me, me.” She giggles. “I’m gonna take that as a compliment.”

“Good. Because it was.”

“So here’s my professional ex-stalker assessment.”

“Hit me. I’m ready.”

“You’re in a good place now.”

“I am?”

“Mmm-hmm. I think you’re ready to move on.”

“I totally am.”

“So… let her go.”

“Just like that? Just… let her go? I mean, if it were that easy, wouldn’t I have done that already?”

She nods. “Yep.” And then she stands up and walks across the room to the bathroom. She stops just as she reaches for the door and looks at me over her shoulder. “It’s a choice, Tony. Let it go and move on. Or fix it. Those are your options. But can I just say that you’ve already tried letting it go and moving on? And it didn’t work.”

“I know. I need to fix it. But how do I fix it?”