day,” I said. “But I don’t want to decide afterward that it was a date because the evidence makes it convenient. I want to ask you. Properly.”
She drew her hand back.
“I canceled the party. I brought the list. I’ve spent my thirtieth birthday walking you through things I could barely bring myself to say.” Her voice shook now. “What do you think I’m doing?”
“Choosing,” I said. “I believe you.”
“Then why—”
“Because I want to choose too. Out loud. Without leaving you to work out whether I
