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“Jace,” she breathes softly. “You … This is amazing.”
She steps hesitantly inside and I follow.
I painted one wall a gray color and the rest white. I bought a small white desk and chair, and I put her laptop on it. There’s also a small futon and the main event, the easel, paint, and canvases.
I step up behind her and wrap my arms around her as she takes it all in.
“I know photography is your main passion, but I saw how happy painting the mural made you, so I thought, maybe you’d like a space to create.”
She turns around in my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I don’t deserve you.”
I brush my nose against hers. “Don’t say that. You’re my other half. Saying you don’t deserve me is like saying I shouldn’t breathe.”
She lifts onto her tiptoes and kisses me. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She stole my heart the moment I met her. I knew it then, but I denied it to myself. I always tried to avoid love and attachments because they always bring heartbreak and pain, and fuck, look at all we’ve been through. But a life without love, isn’t one worth living.
Even with all the hurt and heartbreak we’ve been through recently, I’d go through it a thousand times more, as long as I had Nova.
“I can’t believe you did all this.” She pulls away from my arms and looks around. She goes to the desk and smiles at some of the Polaroids I stuck there. She glances back at me. “Y-You did keep some of his stuff, right?”
I nod. “I packed it away, it’s in the closet.”
“Thank you.” She moves over to the canvases, running her fingers along the one I stuck on the easel. “This is perfect.”
Her happiness makes all the work I put into this more than worth it. I’d do anything to make her happy. Maybe it sounds crazy, but it’s true.
With a smile, she says, “Let’s go get breakfast.”
She looks happy and peaceful, and not all plagued by sadness. I’ve missed seeing her like this, so carefree.
We get dressed, make sure Sasha has food and water, and go across the street to a café.
I sit down, stretching my legs out, and Nova peruses the menu. When her hair falls in her face, I push it away, wanting to see her. She glances at me, fighting a smile.
“What can I get you guys?” Our waitress asks.
“I’ll have a coffee,” I tell her. “And scrambled eggs with toast and bacon.”
“And for you?” She turns to Nova.
“Coffee, and I’ll have French toast.”
“That shouldn’t be long.”
The waitress leaves and Nova places her menu back on the holder in the center of the table.
I watch her movement, still not sure she’s actually here.
I never in a million years thought she’d leave, that she’d leave me, and there’s a part of me still fearful something could send her over the edge and she could take off again.
I don’t find it likely, and besides, if she does, I’ll chase her ass down.
Nova bends to her bag and when she sits back up she clasps her camera.
“Smile.”
