Page 59 of Always Mine
Soon, his phone rang again. Caller ID saidAnnie.
“Hey, honey, how are you?” The endearment rolled easily off his tongue.
“I honestly don’t know. Have you heard the news about Denzi?”
“Yeah.”
“Chief Thomas called me. I think he thought this would make me feel better.”
“At least safer.”
“No, I feel terrible. I, um, I came home this morning. My parents were driving me crazy. Do you, um, feel up for a walk?”
“God, yes. I’ll be right over.”
Though Jon said he could drive this week, Diego didn’t trust himself to do so now. He arrived at Annie’s house in an uber; she waited for him on the porch and came down the driveway. She looked cute in white shorts and a melon-coloredLife is Goodshirt.
“Still not driving?”
“Jon cleared me, but I’m feeling out of sorts.” They started down her driveway to the walking path not far from her home. “How about you? You’re feeling well enough to walk?”
“It’s been a few days. I’m stronger, though I can’t run a marathon.”
She studied him. “You don’t have your sling on.”
“Nah. I’ve been sprung.”
They let the soft breeze soothe their faces and the warm rays of sun give them calm. Finally, Annie said, “Have you decided anything about going back to work?”
“I’m still not sure I can, Annie. The images of my team dying, the repercussions for you…being a cop just seems impossible.”
“How does Chief Thomas feel about that?”
“I haven’t told him yet. One thing he did say was I could stay on disability until my shoulder’s completely healed.”
“So you don’t really have to decide right now then.”
“No. I’ll wait. But boy, I’m getting stir crazy. I gotta do something.”
“Same here.”
“How areyoufeeling,querida?”
“I’m physically better, emotionally tender, though.”
“Understandable. Are you having bad dreams?”
“Yes. Some waking. Like you, I guess.”
“We’re a pair.”
Diego stopped and stared at her. “Can we be, Annie?”
She stopped and smiled. “I’m not ready to give up on you yet. On us. Are you still seeing Caleb?”
“I was until you were kidnapped. We have another appointment next week.”
“Good.”
