Chapter 16
6 30%
A few weeks later, the four of us went night camping together during a holiday
weekend.
The clouds were thin overhead, and Ryan and Emma were playing some board
game by the campfire a short distance away.
Nathan and I sat by our tent, cuddled together under a blanket.
The mountain breeze was gentle and refreshing, carrying the scent of wildflowers and citronella candles.
I pressed my lips together, staring at the river rocks for a long moment before
asking curiously: “Nathan, why did you decide to become a doctor?”
“Saving lives is pretty badass, don’t you think?” he replied with that serious smile I’d come to love.
I suddenly remembered a news story I’d seen recently about a doctor who hadn’t eaten or slept, working tirelessly to save patients, only to be stabbed by a family member of someone he didn’t even treat. The doctor had screamed for help in his own hospital.
What a tragic irony.
My heart contracted painfully at the thought.
“What do you think the Northern Lights look like right now?” I asked, changing the subject to something less frightening.
He was playing with my hair, his free hand casually tossing his phone into my lap. “Look it up.”
But when I opened his phone, I discovered Nathan’s search history from several months ago:
[What to do when your wife is angry?]
[How to increase intimacy with your partner?]
[Does seduction work to win back your wife?]
[How effective is playing hard to get?]
[…..]
Questions he’d searched countless times, all marked with stars by the system.
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12:01 PM Fri 11 Apr
16
I burst out laughing and hugged him tight, peppering his face with kisses. “Nathan Gray, you’re completely obsessed with me.”
He hesitated for a moment, his dark eyes reflecting my smile, not bothering to deny it.
“Yeah, I am. I’m crazy about you.”
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Suddenly, I felt tears welling up. I handed back his phone and said, “When I finally
see the Northern Lights someday, my first wish will be for your safety.”
Wishing the world had more good people like him in it.
“And mine will be for us to stay together for a very long time,” he replied.
Noticing my tears, he tilted his head. “Why are you crying?”
I didn’t answer. His gaze traveled downward, and he teased, “My fault. I made your knees all red last night.”
Me: “…”
Just like that, I was distracted from my emotional moment, indignant: “It was
totally your fault! That position was way too difficult for me–my back nearly
broke.”
Hearing this, Nathan laughed out loud.
The same man who had whispered “My love for you comes from my heart, not just my lips” last night suddenly pushed me down onto the blanket.
“Then tonight we’ll try a different position. I promise to take very good care of
you.”
THE END
