Page 151 of What We Break

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"Researching," we say together.

We're getting good at this.

The man laughs. "Corgis are great if you've got the energy." He tips his hat. "Come on, Chester."

Reid watches Chester waddle away. The longing on his face is genuine.

"We should get a corgi."

"You just said golden retriever."

"Yep. One of those too."

I pull him up. His hand finds mine again immediately, like it belongs there. We keep walking, past a pit bull playing tug-of-war with a rope toy, past a pair of huskies who look like they're planning world domination.

The sun's warm. Dogs barking everywhere. Kids laughing somewhere near the water fountain.

"I used to check flight schedules constantly," I say. Don't know why it comes out now. Just does. "Even when I was happy somewhere."

Reid studies me, seeing too much, or maybe not enough. His thumb moves against my palm.

"And now?"

"I can't remember the last time I looked."

He stops walking. Turns to face me.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

His face goes all soft and his hand finds my face. Tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. A woman walks past us with a poodle. I barely notice.

"When you move in—" He stops. Catches himself. "If. If you move in. Eventually."

My heart's beating faster. "When," I say.

"When?"

"When."

He's smiling now. That ridiculous, hopeful, full-body smile.

I want this. All of it. There's no going back for me. I love him, and that's all there is to it.

I've neverbeen afraid of hard work. And for him? For us? I'll do whatever's needed to make us a success.

A dog barks somewhere behind us. Kids laughing. Someone's owner yelling "drop it, drop it!"

"We could have this," Reid says. "Someday. Saturday mornings. Dog park. The whole thing."

Heck yeah we can. "Someday we will."

Before I can attack him and stick my tongue down his throat, my stomach growls. Loud. Embarrassingly loud, totally ruining the moment.

Reid grins. "Lunch?"

"God, yes."

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