I glance at the book, then at him.
He hasn’t even glanced at the stage, where a blonde in thigh-highs is climbing that pole with the determination of someone chasing rent money on a deadline.
Cain doesn’t look. Doesn’t leer. His whiskey’s still mostly full.
He’s here for me.
Thump. Thump.Thump.Thump. Thump. Thump.
“I think the book is about obsession.” I wipe down the bar even though it’s already clean. “Florentino doesn’t love Fermina. He wants her because she said no.”
Cain nods slowly. “That’s one way to read it.”
“It’s the only way that doesn’t feel like a lie,” I reply, not looking at him. “He didn’t wait out of devotion. He waited because he couldn’t let go of the version of her he invented.”
Cain is quiet for a moment, then says, “So you’re saying love doesn’t wait?”
“What Florentino feels is obsession. He mistakes it for love.” I pause. “Sometimes people feel guilt and mistake that for love.”
Flinch.
I refill his water glass. His fingers brush mine and stay just a second too long.
“I didn’t come here to argue literary theory,” he says quietly.
“No?” I drop the rag on the bar counter and cross my arms. “Then why are you here, Cain?”
His gaze lifts to mine.
It’s steady.
Unapologetic.
Devastated.
“To see you,” he says.
I want to scoff. I want to scorn. I want to say, “Go fuck yourself.”
But I don’t. Because God help me, part of me still wants to be seen…byhim.
It’s a slow courtship.
Winter gives way to Spring, and Cain and I continue over books and pole dancing women he doesn’t even look at.
I speak with Cain’s parents over the phone. I’m careful, they’re loving and affectionate.
I don’t leave Silverton.
I start saving again.
Not to run, but to build?
I move out of the motel and rent a small apartment overLet’s Read, the only bookstore in Silverton. The owner, Jackie Jones, is a riot and a half—and we’ve become friends.
Actually, I have more friends than I did in Seattle; partly because I’m not dating a douchebag, and because Silverton is making amends.
I mention that to Cain, and he smiles. “Then you’ll stay, won’t you?”
