Chapter 48
Liz, March 14
I wake to the sound of running water and a rush of something I haven’t felt in a long time: relief. Matt is here, showering at our house. That’s… promising. I push off the covers and take a deep breath, deciding that today, I’m going to let a little more of the real me show. No filters, no pretense.
I peek into the bathroom. “Good morning,” I call, soft but deliberate, trying to let warmth slip into my voice.
He looks around the curtain, sleepy and slightly surprised. “Morning, baby.”
I grin. “You know… yesterday, I realized I can’t just keep things in all the time.” My hand gestures vaguely, like it doesn’t matter exactly what I’m pointing at. “So I’m practicing being… me. Honest me. With you.”
Matt raises an eyebrow, tilting his head. “Honest you?”
“Yes,” I say, brushing my hair back with a little flourish, letting him see the Liz I’ve been holding back: messy, tired, but present. “I don’t like to clean, I do like to plan, I talk too much when I’m nervous… and sometimes I just say whatever I think, even if it’s not polite.” I lean against the doorway. “Surprise.”
He blinks, unsure if I’m teasing or serious. Then a smile creeps onto his face, slow but real. “I kind of like this version of you.”
I shrug, letting a genuine laugh slip out. “Hoped you might.”
I move closer to him, letting my guard lower just a touch. “So, what about today? What do you want to do? And be honest — I don’t just mean words. I mean… really you.”
He laughs quietly, the tension of last night easing slightly. “I meant what I said yesterday. I just need to drop off a few papers at work. But after that… lunch, a movie. That’s what I want. Honest me.”
I nod, pleased. “Perfect. I’ll look up showtimes and maybe plan a little adventure for us, if you’re up for it.” My voice carries a mix of playfulness and calm assertiveness. I feel it — Liz in control of herself again, letting her real self be seen without apology.
By the time Matt steps out of the shower, dressed and rubbing his damp hair back, I’ve got lunch picked and a movie lined up. I meet his eyes, letting him see that I’m cautious but choosing optimism.
He grins and kisses my head, quiet and steady. I mirror it with a small smile, and for the first time in months, I feel a spark of something powerful: not control over him, not over life, but control over me.
It’s not perfect, and I know there will be tests, but for now, letting the real me show feels… enough.