Page 57 of Pretty Thing

My lips press together in a hard line as I force the building emotion back.

“Yes,” I manage.

“Then let’s begin.”

The entire meeting is a big blur. Mr. Davidson talks to me about assets, insurance, and bank accounts like I should know what he means. My parents have never talked to me about any of this. They probably thought they had another thirty years before they even had to worry about it. I answer as best I can, and luckily, he makes a pile of notes. Two hours later, he hands me the stack of papers with a sad smile, assuring me that we’ll talk again soon.

Great. Just great.

My body is stiff when I try to stand, my ass numb from sitting still so long, and my tea is left untouched.

I can’t think straight, and the noise of the law office is as annoying as insects buzzing around my head. People smile, laugh, and joke around me. They go on about their lives, looking right through me as if I’m not even here. My pain is invisible, but everything is screaming so loudly in my head that I don’t know how the entire world doesn’t hear me.

I’m in the lobby, fumbling with my phone while trying to figure out what I need to do next when the door opens. I look up, and Felix is standing there with his hands in his pockets.

“Hey,” he says softly, not coming in any further.

“Felix?”

Is this a mirage? My heart races, and my throat runs as dry as if he really is water on the horizon. I don’t dare look away, in case he disappears.

“Yeah…” He takes a small step forward. “I know you said you wanted space, but I couldn’t stay away any longer. I’ll go if you want me to. But I knew today was going to be hard, and I had to see if you were okay.”

I stupidly just stand there.

“I’ll go,” he says, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb.

“No,” I say quickly, as relief rips me open. I’ve been barely holding myself together. I limp toward him as the tears start to fall. “Please don’t go.”

“Hey…it’s okay, don’t cry.” Felix wraps me in his arms, holding me tight as he peppers the top of my head in soft kisses. “I’ve got you.”

He doesn’t rush me or move until I do. When I pull back, his blue eyes are filled with worry.

“Why are you soaking wet? What happened?”

“I fell,” I say, body trembling.

Turning, he presses the automatic door button, then picks me up and marches outside. My body aches, but I don’t care. I wrap my arm around his neck. Any other time, a display of weakness like this would be embarrassing. But not today.

Felix holds my hand during the drive to my house as tears fall unchecked. He remains silent as he parks and then comes around to pick me up once more. I bury my face in the crook of his neck and breathe in his smell, the black cherry comforting and the warmth of his body easing the ache in my heart. God, I’ve missed him.

Reaching the landing, he gently puts me on my feet, and I pull out my house key. As soon as the door is unlocked, he steps inside and helps me like we’ve done this a hundred times before. My wet jacket is removed, then my large winter boot is unzipped and gingerly pulled off.

The next thing I know, we are upstairs, and Felix is undressing me like I’m a doll.

“We need to get you dry. Your skin feels like ice, and I bet your body temperature is low,” Felix says. “I promise you’ll be alright.”

He’s much gentler than I am, removing the Aircast and then the rest of my clothes. He throws the wet stuff in the hamper, then opens my drawers. His face is all business as he pulls out a pair of comfy pajamas and walks toward me.

The stupid tears continue to fall, and I can’t seem to stop them no matter how hard I try. He pulls the soft sleep shorts up one leg at a time and then helps me into the matching top. As soon as I’m dressed, I grab Felix’s arm. He stops and stares down at me.

“I’m sorry.” My lip trembles.

“For what?”

“For asking you to leave.” I look away, unable to face the concern in his eyes. “Forgive me?”

Felix tilts my chin and forces me to look at him.