"Just so we're clear, this is not an engagement ring."
"Yes, I heard you the first ten times."
"Good. I only said it three times."
Andrei walked towards the bench and took up the black coat I didn't notice was there until he reached for it. That conversation ended more abruptly than I thought, or rather, hoped it would. Why was that? Had I silently wished he would say he would be the one to propose? This aching disappointment was real. What if he proposed now? Would I accept? It wasn't long ago that he kept asking me to do the surgery. Speaking of which, I can't remember the last time he asked. When did he stop? And why?
"We're going out on the water. It's going to be cold so you should put this on. Turn around."
I slipped my hands into the sleeves of the thick, warm coat he probably
