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It’s so beautiful here, crisp and clean There’s none of e trucks andthe radio, or deliveries unloading downstairs The air is fresh, and it fills me akeful anticipation

What e do today?

I step back inside, and go to the kitchen, pouringthe contents of Dex’s cabinets He roceries, because the kitchen is well-stocked with staples and fresh produce I find a carton of fresh sweet peaches on the countertop and bacon in the fridge Pancakes, I decide, and set about asseredients for the batter

I turn on the radio to an oldies station as I move around the kitchen It’s a treat to be in a space like this, all glearanite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances I love to cook, but only when it’s for other people I enjoy hosting dinner parties forup a batch of cupcakes for celebrations, but when it corab takeout or fix a si down to an elaborate meal in my apartment, all alone, so I save my favorite recipes for when I have company--someone to share the meal with, and to appreciate the effort

I put the bacon on to crisp and urt to make the hther prepare dinner for ht They both work, but she loves to cook, too For her, it’s never a chore Even now, she enjoys planning recipes and picking things she knows he’ll like: surprising hi home-baked treats into his lunch for work It’s her way of showing how ined doing the same for my husband one day

In those fantasies, theof him for the first time in what feels like forever It’s Wednesday now, and we’re supposed to hang out to hi the right to turn back around and be hoe wave of guilt, like I’ pancakes for another man

No I warn myself Don’t think about it like that He was never yours to begin with Those fantasies were just that: a distant drea real

I find my phone, and quickly tap out a text

Can’t make tomorrow, sorry Out of town!

AOK?

Yes! Last-minute vacation

Hunter replies Enjoy! You deserve it

"Is that bacon? Be still my heart"