Message in a Bottle - Nicholas Sparks [91]
“Probably.”
“Why?”
“I guess I’d wonder what someone like you could possibly see in me.”
She leaned over to kiss him. “I’ll tell you what I see. I see the man that I love, the man who makes me happy… someone I want to continue to see for a long time.”
“How come you always know just what to say?”
“Because,” she said quietly, “I know more about you than you would ever suspect.”
“Such as?”
A lazy smile played over her lips. “For instance, I know you want me to kiss you again.”
“I do?”
“Absolutely.”
And she was right.
Later that evening Garrett said, “You know, Theresa, I can’t find a single thing wrong with you.”
They were in the tub together, surrounded by mountains of bubbles, Theresa leaning against his chest. He used a sponge to wash her skin as he spoke.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked curiously, turning her head to look at him.
“Just what I said. I can’t find a single thing wrong with you. I mean, you’re perfect.”
“I’m not perfect, Garrett,” she said, pleased nonetheless.
“But you are. You’re beautiful, you’re kind, you make me laugh, you’re intelligent, and you’re a great mother as well. Toss in the fact that you’re famous, and I don’t think there’s anyone who can measure up to you.”
She caressed his arm, relaxing against him. “I think you see me through rose-colored glasses. But I like it….”
“Are you saying I’m biased?”
“No—but you’ve only seen my good side so far.”
“I didn’t know you had another side to you,” he said, squeezing both of her arms simultaneously. “Both sides feel pretty good right now.”
She laughed. “You know what I mean. You haven’t seen my dark side yet.”
“You don’t have a dark side.”
“Sure I do. Everyone does. It’s just that when you’re around, it likes to keep itself hidden.”
“So, how would you describe your dark side?”
She thought for a moment. “Well, for starters, I’m stubborn, and I can get mean when I’m angry. I tend to lash out and say the first thing that pops in my head, and believe me, it’s not pretty. I also have a tendency to tell others exactly what I’m thinking, even when I know it would be best just to walk away.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“You haven’t been on the receiving end yet.”
“It still doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Well… let me put it this way. When I first confronted David about the affair, I called him some of the worst names in the English language.”
“He deserved it.”
“But I’m not sure he deserved to have a vase thrown at him.”
“Did you do that?”
She nodded. “You should have seen the look on his face. He’d never seen me like that before.”
“What did he do?”
“Nothing—I think he was too shocked to do anything. Especially when I started in with the plates. I cleaned out most of the cupboard that night.”
He grinned in admiration. “I didn’t know you were so feisty.”
“It’s my midwest upbringing. Don’t mess with me, buster.”
“I won’t.”
“That’s good. I’m much more accurate these days.”
“I’ll remember that.”
They sank deeper into the warm water. Garrett continued to move the sponge over her body.
“I still think you’re perfect,” he said softly.
She closed her eyes. “Even with my dark side?” she asked.
“Especially with your dark side. It adds an element of excitement.”
“I’m glad, because I think you’re pretty perfect yourself.”
The rest of their vacation flew by. In the mornings Theresa would go into work for a few hours, then come home and spend the afternoons and evenings with Garrett. In the evenings they would either order something in or head to one of the many small restaurants near her apartment. Sometimes they rented a movie to watch afterward, but usually they preferred to spend their time without other distractions.
On Friday night Kevin called from the soccer camp. Excitedly he explained that he’d made the all-star team. Though it meant more games would be played outside of Boston and they’d have to travel most weekends, Theresa was happy for him. Then, surprising her, Kevin asked to speak to Garrett. Garrett listened as he described what had happened