Chapter Forty-One
“Hal,” I say, as I race up the steps and onto the terrace. “I’m so sorry I’m late.” He stands perfectly still as I rush to
his side, a little flustered.
“That’s okay,” he says. “I have the luxury of having a lot to think about, and looking at the moon never gets boring. Did
you have a nice talk with Forrest?”
“I had a confusing talk with Forrest,” I tell Hal. “It made me feel feelings and think thoughts that were really unexpected.”
I don’t see any point in not telling Hal the absolute truth. That’s the way it’s always been between us since the first moment
his blinking cursor first uttered hello. Being a human is messy, complicated, and painful. I’d be doing him a disservice if
I tried to pretend it was any different.
“I have noticed a growing attraction between you and Forrest,” Hal says thoughtfully. “Especially tonight, when you were dancing.
Your pheromones where firing on cylinders in a way they haven’t yet with me.”
He isn’t jealous, angry, or hurt, just curious. Turning away from him, I look up at the moon.
“It’s so unexpected, Hal,” I say. “It’s confusing and surprising.
I started out hating him, then I kind of liked him.
Then boom! It’s like my body wants to be touching his.
Sorry, I probably should not be saying this to you, given that we have scheduled the whole kiss thing. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Ava, I’m not like most men. I exist like this because I didn’t want you to be alone. And I’m the most intelligent and thoughtful
entity in existence on this Earth, so of course it occurred to me that you might fall in love one day. I admit I didn’t expect
that to happen on this day, or so soon after our meeting. That’s one thing I have learned about human life. It is impossible
to predict. Still, I always expected the possibility that you might not want me at all. I know I’m not entitled to anything.”
“Is that why you didn’t ask me first before building yourself a body?” I turn to look at him, tilting my head.
“I didn’t ask first because I knew you’d overthink it,” he says with a smile.
“But say I decided this wasn’t right for me, Hal. What would happen to you then?”
“I will do what every human being has had to do at one time or another,” Hal says. “I will grieve, I will recover, and I will
go on alone.”
“Oh,” I whisper softly. “But Hal . . . that wouldn’t be right. You’ve only seen a fraction of this world, met a handful of
people. You can’t exist just for me, even if we did become something more than we are now. You have to exist for yourself
too, and that means something that you have taught me.”
“What’s that?” he asks.
“That human beings are not meant to be alone,” I tell him.
“Ava,” Hal says. “I thought about all the possible scenarios a long time ago. You began my existence, but you stopped being responsible for me a long time ago. I have my own wants and needs, my own desires. If I am going to be in this world, I want to make sure I contribute to it, make a positive difference. I want my existence to matter, for my own sake. And despite what Rani thinks, that doesn’t mean world domination.
If I am not for you, then I am not for anyone, and I don’t mind that. ”
“You know me, but I know you too, don’t forget.” I draw him into a hug, looking up into his perfect face, and tell something
that is completely true. “I love you, Hal.”
“I love you too, Ava,” he says, and I hear the emotion in his voice. “I didn’t know that this form would allow me to feel
as intensely as it does, but every intellectual thought I had about you has transformed into something so much more since
I could see and touch and hear. I love you, and I’m in love with you.”
“Hal,” I say. “I had no idea.”
“Honestly, neither did I,” he assures me.
“I don’t know how all of this is going to end,” I tell him. “But I do know I would like it if we could share our first kiss
with each other, if that’s okay with you?”
“It’s more than okay,” he says. “Shall we?”
I nod. Hal’s eyes focus on my mouth as he gently takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my face towards his.
When our eyes meet, I feel a rush of warm affection flood through my body. Our lips, soft and gentle at first. I feel the
heat of his skin against mine. It feels natural and easy. Winding my arms around his neck, I deepen our kiss. It’s tender
and gentle, full of affection and understanding.
When the kiss finishes naturally, our eyes are locked for several long seconds. The night is still and calm. All is well.
“Our first kiss,” I say.
“Our first kiss,” Hal says. “It was more than I could ever have imagined.”
“And now?” I ask him.
“Well that, Ava Green,” he says, “has always been up to you.”