The Best of Kristina Wright (10 page)

William held me, both of us naked from the waist down, and the incongruity of it made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. The moment was over before I could make sense of my feelings and he was pulling up his pants and handing me mine. We got dressed silently, without looking at each other. Finally, while I was trying to detangle my hair, William put his hand on my cheek.

“Thank you,” he said. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” There was no emotion in my voice. “Be careful going home.”

When I made no move to get into my car, he hesitated. “I need to get home before Rachel starts worrying. Are you okay?”

“Fine.” I nodded, as if that decisive movement would convince him. “I’m just going to stand here for a minute and catch my breath.” I gave him a wry smile. “I don’t want Brad to wonder what I’ve been up to.”

“Okay.” He didn’t move. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

I looked up at the night sky, filled with more stars than I had ever seen in my life. They seemed so close, as if they were falling on top of me. Tears filled my eyes and the stars twinkled. “I’m fine. Just go, William.”

He went. I didn’t watch him leave, I never could. Instead, I watched the stars fall down and wondered when I would see him again.