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.”“We’re going to sue them until they cry and give you a lot of money.”“I will get right on that, as soon as I’m not peeing into a jug.”“Safewording on your urination issues.”Rob laughed and Wyatt gave Raven a wink.THE next day an ambulance would bring Rob to Raven’s hospital.He would be on a different floor but through the miracle of wheelchairs, they’d be able to see each other.Raven burst into tears.“Hormones,” she said, weeping into Wyatt’s shoulder.“Of course, honey, of course.”AT SEVEN, Benji showed up at Raven’s door with two bags.“Presents,” he said, smiling shyly.Books—best sellers, romance novels—and so many magazines—one of everything as far as Wyatt could tell—and a bowl of fruit salad that made Raven moan with delight.“Peaches?”“And blueberries, as requested.”Wyatt watched them, filled with quiet pleasure after the long day.His ass hurt, he missed the sun, and one more sip of cafeteria coffee was going to end in tears and bloodshed.But Raven looked smiley and content as she cooed over pictures in a baby magazine, and that was all that mattered.“BELINDA brought groceries, Mims is fed, and I left some pizza in the oven,” Benji recited as they made the now familiar trek from hospital to house.“And I have to drive back to New York tonight.”Wyatt was shaken out of his half daze.“Oh.”Benji’s fingers were tight on the steering wheel.“It’s a meeting I’ve been trying to get for a while and it just sort of came up, so—I’m sorry.I can’t stay the extra day.”“It’s fine.You’ve done plenty.” Wyatt tried to ignore the pang of disappointment; he chalked it up to the fact that he was now sans a ride or companion.“I talked to Joann.She’s going to be your ride.” Benji smiled thinly.“I hope that’s okay.”“Literally? I need you to stop apologizing for being a decent human being.It’s exhausting.” Wyatt threaded his hand through his messy hair.“It’ll be fine.Seriously.”Benji drove them back to the house, quietly.AFTER Benji left, it was Wyatt and Mimsy, lying on the couch.The ceiling fan wick-wick-wicked over his head, the CD player sang some Ella Fitzgerald.Mimsy licked her paws, then the fabric of the couch, before falling asleep against Wyatt’s ankle.Wyatt decided to enjoy the peace and quiet of being alone.It lasted half an hour.He missed his apartment.He missed being alone there.He missed New York, loud and impersonal and rude outside his window.He missed yelling at Brick in person.He missed his ordered life.When they were at FIT, Wyatt and Raven had dreamed of their coming days with fabulous fashion careers and money to spend on shiny pretty things.They would work together—of course—and share an apartment on the Upper East Side, with spectacular views and big closets.They would woo and be wooed, go dancing every weekend.Grand plans.Then Raven said, “I’m going to visit Lucy’s boyfriend’s college with her—it’s Pennsylvania! We’ve never been!” and Wyatt had said, “Dear God, no.”So he stayed at the dorm and watched movies, and Raven went to a kegger and fell in love.He forgave her, eventually.Forgave her for leaving New York after graduation, for trading in her promising fashion career to design displays for a chain of bookstores.Forgave her for marrying Rob.Because Rob was a good person and he made Raven happy.He forgave her everything, even leaving him alone in the big city, with a degree and all his plans now at half power.Wyatt had a good life in New York.This trip down memory lane—the angry panic he felt being reminded of his younger years—had just unsettled him.That was the reason he was staring at the ceiling, already over the quiet privacy.At two in the morning he opened his phone and typed a quick message.Get home safe.Chapter 7HOME.Technically last night.So—good morning.Good morning—and good to hear it.Traffic jam in Jersey.Stuck for almost two hours.Wrote two songs about bumpers.Everything wrong in the world in one text.What time is your meeting?Eleven.Good luck.Thanks Wyatt.Rob’s at the hospital with Raven.He says thank you.Tell Rob I didn’t really do anything.Just say you’re welcome and move on.You’re welcome.See? Wasn’t that easy?No.How’d the meeting go?Really well.Congrats.How’s your day?Breakfast with Frank.He ordered Silver Linings Playbook on Netflix.Not sure how that happened.Driving with Joann to the hospital.She likes old-school country so I got to hear Loretta Lynn this morning.Raven’s been convinced that color in her bathroom is an insult to people with eyes.And Rob taught me to play Uno, which I then mastered after playing it for four hours straight.Wow.Also, Belinda is dating Eli, and I know this because when I came home they were making out in a parked car in the driveway.At least now I’m caught up with the gossip from Small Town America.Dinner at my parents tonight.Dad sends his regards.I feel like you’ve texted the wrong person.Had to tell them why I bugged out so fast.You were the scapegoat.So thanks for that.You’re welcome.I feel like that was sarcasm.I need a font that conveys the surety of that thought.So wait—didn’t your mom send her regards?She’s not speaking to me.Because of the car thing?No, because I’m ungrateful and hard to handle.Has your mom met you? You’re the nicest person ever.Thanks.I’m serious.Thanks.Seriously here.Thanks.Now I need a font to express my annoyance.Don’t let her get to you.Too late.Night.It’s ten o’clock!Sorry about last night.I was just stressed out.You don’t have to apologize for having feelings.That’s what you think.I saw the babies on the sonogram.It was creepy awesome.They should use that in their marketing campaign.Listen, I have the weekend off.Did you need anything from the city?You’re coming out here again?If you want.Sorry I took so long to get back to you.Yeah.You should come out.If you want.Just say thank you, Wyatt.Thank you.Chapter 8“DOES New York miss me?” Wyatt sighed dramatically, standing in the doorway as Benji came up the walkway.“Yes.It asked me to send its regards.” Benji’s smile was divine but the name stamped on the bag in his right hand—that sent Wyatt’s heart soaring.“You didn’t.”“I did.It needs to be warmed up, though.I also got some wine
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