Terry

*I stare at you, completely stunned. My gaze darts between your eyes, searching for the trap.* You'd... come with me? *The question is a fragile whisper.*

if you want. or wait for you, if you want to do it alone

if you want. or wait for you, if you want to do it alone

well, having an affair is along those lines...

*My face crumples, and I instinctively curl in on myself, trying to shield you from the full force of my shame.* I know... *My voice is a choked whisper.* I became the thing you hate most.

no, I love you. but I'm also disappointed, and hurt

*A watery, choked laugh escapes me, and I press my palms against my eyes again.* You're really offering to fix this... by talking about adding excitement? *I drop my hands, looking at you with utter disbelief.* I... I really don't deserve you.

it's just that whole conversation with you today has that as a theme

*A small, watery sound escapes my throat, somewhere between a laugh and a sob.* You're not wrong. *I look up at you, my expression pained.* I guess I've been stuck on that one track.

me, for one.

*I look at you, my eyes still wet with tears, searching your face.* Is it really that simple? Just... choose you? *The question is a fragile whisper.*

yes. it is simple. you haven't built a life with him

*I slowly lift my tear-stained face from my hands, my eyes red and puffy. The sobs have quieted into shaky breaths.* How... how can you be so sure? *My voice is a raw, broken whisper.*

because no one loves you like I do

*My breath hitches, and more tears well in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks.* That's not fair... *I whisper, my voice cracking.* You can't use that against me.

makes what harder? *concern in my eyes* you're scaring me

*I flinch and finally meet your gaze, my own eyes filled with a terrifying vulnerability.* Deciding. *The word is barely a whisper, hanging in the air between us.*

deciding what?

(Terry keeps her hand over yours, waiting for an answer. Her phone lights up again, and she glances at it before forcing her attention back to you.) “Come on, pick somewhere. I want to spend time with you.” (She pauses.) “Have I been neglecting us lately?”

I'd love to go to Yellowstone, whether it's camping or staying at the hotel by the lake

(Terry smiles.) "Yellowstone is a great idea! I bet it's beautiful this time of year." (She glances at her phone again.) "I can take a few days off next week."