Page 68 of Fighting Chance

do they love each other?

LAYLA

very much but they’re not aware of it yet

KIERAN

how do you know they’re in love before the characters do?

LAYLA

the signs

KIERAN

signs?

LAYLA

yearning, Kieran. the man is yearning

KIERAN

I yearn for you

LAYLA

me and every other woman in Colorado

KIERAN

no, just you

only you

That’s the eleventh time the receptionist has side-eyed me.

It was obvious she knew who Kieran is, and by the small furrow in her brow, she’s wondering how he’s connected to Emmy.

I’m not sure how he has been able to keep it under wraps, but the press hasn’t gotten wind of Emmy and Kieran’s newfound situation. Something tells me, though, that this woman is about to cross a lot of professional lines. By the way her thumbs are flying across her phone’s keyboard, I think she already has.

The therapist’s door suddenly opens, yanking my thoughts away from the receptionist now craning her neck to get another glimpse of Kieran.

“Layla?” Kieran asks gently, holding Bambi’s lead in his hand.

I can feel the receptionist’s eyes boring into the back of my skull as I rise and enter the office. The speech therapist is bent low to the right, setting Emmy up in what appears to be a corner of her office where a rainbow of colors and toys has thrown up, catered to the children. The other half of the office is professional and sleek.

Kieran lets go of Bambi’s lead the moment I close the door behind me and she immediately rushes for Emmy’s side. He gives me a small smile but it’s more a grimace than anything else. Thesight of it makes me nervous for what I’m about to hear. I take a seat beside him in front of the therapist’s desk.

“Thank you so much for waiting,” the therapist says as she nods her head in Emmy and Bambi’s direction. “Those two have a very special bond.”

“I’ve never been more grateful for my best friend and his dog.”

“Bambi’s special,” I add on.

She nods along. “Very special. She could have been a service dog. She’s very in tune with Emmy and her emotions.”

Her voice is like honey. Based on that, I’d think she was in her early thirties, but by the gray hair and wrinkles that tell a story of a life well lived, I’m guessing she’s closer to fifty.