Page 233 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Today walking into rehab doesn't feel like work. It feels like seeing someone I love.

I move into the clinical area and glance toward the reception desk.

Mrs. Alvarez is arranging patient files.

She looks up. Our eyes meet. Something changes.

Her smile disappears almost before it begins.

My stomach tightens.

"Morning."

"Good morning, Jamie."

She's trying. I know she's trying. But something's wrong.

I hold up the second coffee with a grin that suddenly feels uncertain.

"Think she'll forgive me for getting here five minutes early?"

Mrs. Alvarez doesn't answer. She simply looks at the cup in my hand, then back at me.

Very quietly she says...

"Jamie..."

Every instinct I own comes alive. "Where's Annette?"

Silence. Too much silence. Mrs. Alvarez takes a slow breath. "I'm so sorry."

The words don't make sense. I frown. "For what?"

"Annette won't be coming in today."

I let out a small laugh. "Okay..."

"I mean..." Her voice breaks. "She won't be coming back."

Everything inside me goes perfectly still. "What?"

"She resigned."

No.

The word echoes through my head before it ever reaches my lips.

"No."

"She left early this morning."

I stare at her. The second coffee grows warm in my hand.

No.

"Dr. Reynolds reassigned your remaining sessions."

I shake my head. "No, she wouldn't..."