“My doctor prescribes me something, but I ran out today.”
“It must be serious to need a prescription.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“Of course it is! Are you okay when you take the medicine?”
She’s doing that concerned peering again, which never fails to make me want to tell her everything. If she could bottle it the CIA wouldn’t have to waterboard people. “Okay enough. It makes it bearable.” I rub my itchy eyes.
“You must really love animals.” Her voice brims with sympathy.
“No,” I correct her. “I mean, yes, I do love animals. But I wasn’t here for them. I was here for you. Volunteering here was the only way I could spend time with you.” I lay my past actions bare so she can understand how special she is to me.
She looks at me like a bunny, mouth open and eyes glazed as she tries to process what I just said. Her reaction tightens a painful vise around my chest. Why can’t she just believe it’s possible for me to feel something deep for her?
“You came here to spend time with me. Even though you’rethatallergic to animals?”
I nod. Then I remember something else I should come clean about. “And since it’s time for confessions, I’m just going to let you know I’m the reason you couldn’t find an apartment.”
She blinks up at me.
“I had Cody snap up every apartment that met your criteria. I didn’t want you to leave.”
“That’s a lot of apartments. And money.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a chance with you.”
Her lashes flutter as she digests what I’m telling her. “I wasn’t worth it,” she says finally, in a small voice.
“You’re wrong.” I look her in the eye. “You’re worth everything.”
The confession hangs in the air. She blinks, and something shutters in her eyes.
An invisible line forms between us, and she retreats behind it. She folds and unfolds her hands, dropping her gaze to the gray, cracked asphalt between us.
Somehow it’s worse now that I’ve said what’s in my heart, compared to before when I just showed her a good time in bed. It sends a painful pang through my chest until I almost wish I hadn’t said anything.
Still, I wait. The ball’s in her court.
Time passes, unbearably slowly.
Finally, she takes a deep breath, her eyes glinting like precious stones. She comes over and hugs me. My tension vanishes. I put my arms around her, holding her tightly, as she buries her face in my chest.
“Thank you. That’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever said to me.” Her voice is muffled, but clear enough.
I hold her, grateful that she’s erased the line she drew. It couldn’t have been easy, giving up her mental and emotional shelter, and respect and admiration for her courage swell in my heart.
I kiss the crown of her head as I vow never to allow anything to hurt her.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Molly
Monday at the office, my hands pause on the keyboard as my mind wanders back. I still can’t believe I hugged Nicholas like that outside Furry Haven. When he made himself vulnerable and told me why he came to the shelter even though he’s allergic to dogs and cats, my first instinct was to pull back because I didn’t feel like I deserved the kind of care he was giving me.
But then pain flashed in his eyes, and I realized I was hurting him with my reaction, and I had to give him a hug.
And it worked! The smile he gave me took my breath away with its beauty. But I was still slightly panicked, as though I’d peeled off a protective layer.
