129. Nate

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE

NATE

We walk slowly, Rosie holding my arm for balance since she's walking unaided.

We both know what it means, her not using her crutches anymore. It means she doesn't need to stay with me much longer. And that means I'm running out of time to convince her not to leave.

Maybe dinner with the parents is the wrong call, seeing how nervous she is. But I wasn't coming without her. And my parents are chill. So maybe if she experiences their acceptance, that feeling of family could help convince her I'm hers as much as she's mine.

I hold open the restaurant door and guide her in before me.

I know that her moving back into her own apartment wouldn't mean our relationship is over. She was only meant to stay for three weeks. But there's something… something I can't put my finger on that makes it all feel so huge. Like her leaving would be the worst thing in the world.

Like if I let her walk out my door, I'll never see her again.