to make the cutest babies in the entire world! *happy dance emoji* Do you think you’re pregnant yet? Are you craving weird foods? Feeling swollen and cranky? Barfing your adorable guts out? Tell me everything!
* * *
Colette: LOL. Stop! You’re going to jinx it. And no, I’m not due to ovulate for another day or two, so I’m sure I’m not pregnant. Yet. But maybe soon. I have all my fingers and toes crossed.
* * *
Theodora: Wow… So you guys are jumping in and going for it hard-core with the fertility tracking and everything, huh? What’s Zack think about that?
* * *
Colette: He’s on board. Very on board, actually.
* * *
Theodora: Wow. That’s…
* * *
Colette: Crazy?
* * *
Theodora: No! It’s wonderful!
* * *
Colette: And a little crazy.
* * *
Theodora: Okay, maybe a little crazy, but in the best way. And you know, love is like that sometimes.
* * *
Colette: Sex is like that, you mean.
* * *
Theodora: Right. Because both you and Zack are the kind of people who can decide to have baby-making sex without any feelings involved. Tell me another one, cupcake. You forget that I’ve known you both forever. You have feelings for him. Admit it!
* * *
Colette: Of course, there are feelings. I like him a lot. So much. But it’s not romantic. We don’t have a future together, Theo. I mean, if we do make a baby, we’re going to raise him or her as co-parents, but that’s it. Our lives aren’t compatible long term.
* * *
Theodora: What the heck are you talking about? Of course they are! You are two lovely, kind, evolved, passionate people. If you two can’t find a way to make things work long-distance, then no one can. I mean, look at my life—Cutter and I are making it work just fine, and we’re much harder to get along with than you or Zack.
* * *
Colette: You and Cutter are both workaholics. When you don’t have each other, you have demanding careers to keep you distracted from how much you’re missing each other. I’m hoping to find a job I’m passionate about, but I’m never going to live for work, Theo. I live for love and, hopefully, someday, a family. You know my relationships have always been the most important things in my life.
* * *
Theodora: I know, but Zack’s like that, too. Seriously. He texts and emails me all the time when he’s on the road, and I’m just his friend. If you were his significant other, I’m sure he’d be calling and video chatting with you all the time. It would be like he was right there in the room with you every night.
* * *
Colette: Except it wouldn’t, and you know it. Do I need to remind you about July?
* * *
Theodora: No. We don’t speak of July.
Or how much “missing my boyfriend” ice cream I ate.
* * *
Colette: But we have to speak of it, sister. I’m done burying my head in the sand and hoping the man in my life will magically become what I need him to be. It didn’t work with Fernando or any of my other boyfriends, and it won’t work with Zack. I have to look for someone who is truly compatible with me from the get-go.
* * *
Theodora: I think Zack is that guy! Really and truly. The more I think about it, the more you two seem made for each other. Talk to him about your concerns. You never know, he might surprise you.
* * *
Colette: No. I can’t, and I won’t. And don’t you dare say anything to him, either. I mean it!
* * *
Theodora: Jeez, okay, I won’t, but I don’t understand why you’re so anti-communication all of a sudden. Zack is the easiest person to talk to in the world.
* * *
Colette: He’s also insanely talented. I’ve only heard a few bars of the songs he’s working on up here, but they’re magical, Theo. He has something so special, a gift he has to share with the world. I would never want to take that away from him. Or everyone else.
* * *
Theodora: So you… You think…
If you tell him how you feel and what you want, you’re afraid he might give it to you? Is that what I’m hearing?
* * *
Colette: Maybe. If there’s even a chance, I can’t risk it. He was put on earth to write soulful music and travel the world, making people think and feel in a way they never have before.