Talking at Night: A Novel

Will cancels his trip and goes to Rosie’s house. He kisses her as soon as she opens the door, and they fall together onto the stairs. They go to Gran’s house and sleep together in his childhood room. Having sex after so many missed years of longing feels euphoric, and they don’t leave the house for five days. While lying together one night, they finally talk about Josh, though Will can see it’s still a sensitive subject for her. She tells him about her new job teaching music at a school. She doesn’t make a lot of money, but she feels alive for the first time. Will cooks for them and reads cookbooks to learn new recipes. She and Simon are still married but have divorce papers ready.

Summer ends, and Rosie returns to work. Rosie hasn’t told her parents or even Marley about Will and wants to keep it a secret so as not to ruin it. Will knows she will tell people when it’s right. Will’s birthday arrives, and Rosie wants to celebrate with Will, but he refuses. She sees how much pain it brings him and agrees not to force it.