I sit in this tiny booth speechless as his stipulations hit me. Already, there’s a hole growing in my chest.
“What? You don’t like that?” he asks slowly.
“That just defeats the purpose.”
“No, it fucking doesn’t,” he snaps right back. “This isn’t for you, asshole. I didn’t agree to this to makeyouhappy. This is for Veronica. So you better take what you can get right now because I’m five seconds from calling Veronica and reneging on all this shit.”
I swallow the rebuttal that wants to come out. The thought of being unable to remember my time with her carves away at my soul. I want to be able to recall every moment. It’s all I’ll have.
“Remembering a day with her will ruin you for another woman, Blue. I just don’t want this because of my ego. It’s for you too.” he says; most of the venom in his voice is replaced with something like exhaustion and pity.
The diner door opens,and Veronica walks in, and the second I lay eyes on her, I know he’s right. I may not remember it, but I already know I’m going to make this the best experience of her life. That’s who it’s about, after all, her.
“Okay,” I say to Ian.
“I’m going to set up an appointment with Dr. Lyce so we can talk about this memory-erasing shit. I’ll talk to you later.”
He hangs up, and I set my phone on the table as Veronica slides into the booth across from me. I put on a pleasant face trying to mask the disappointment knocking around inside of me.
“Was that Ian?” She asks as she gets comfortable.
“Yeah. I agreed to his terms. He said not until after the baby’s born. So,” I reach across the table and take her cold fingers in mine, looking right into her gorgeous pale eyes. “I have months to plan the best day of our life.”
She gives me a somber, teary-eyed smile, trying to be happy through her sadness, but more of her sorrow comes through than anything.
“You won’t remember it.” Her voice cracks, and tears flow from her eyes.
I bring the back of her hand just inches away from my lips, and she blushes as I do.
“Well, I’ll just have to make sure our time is unforgettable.”
And that’s a promise I’ll die before breaking.