I’ve never once called her fat.I would never.She’s not fat; she’s fucking perfect.Every inch of her is a work of art.How can she not see that?Who’s been telling her otherwise?I need to know so I can track them down and beat the shit out of them for hurting my sweet girl.
“Uh, Dr.Bennett?”
Kathy’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I realize I’ve been glaring at the wall for a solid minute.
“Sorry,” I grunt, clearing my throat and getting back to work.
Between seeing patients, I come up with a plan to romance the hell out of Pearl.I send her favorite lunch to her place at noon.I call the florist in town and buy out the shop, telling the guy what to write on each card.
You’re perfect.
You’re the smartest, kindest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I can’t stop dreaming about your lips.
I’ve wanted you for so long.Since the first moment.
I pour my heart out to her, telling her everything except that I love her.That has to come from me first.From my lips.
I keep checking my phone for texts from Pearl, but there’s nothing all day.By three, I’m an anxious mess.All I can think about is my girl.All I can focus on is making this right between us.
“That was the last patient for today,” Kathy says as I finish up some notes in the exam room.
“See you tomorrow,” I say, making a beeline for my office.
My employees all watch me like I’ve lost my mind as I grab my keys and sprint out the front door.The truth is that I feel like Ihavelost my mind.I hurt my girl, I made her cry, I pushed her too far, way too fast.
I’m going to fix that, though.I just need to convince her to hear me out.I have a feeling it’ll be easier said than done.
I speed all the way to Pearl’s apartment, slam my car into park, and take the stairs two at a time up to her front door.I’m nervous, my hands shaking slightly as I raise one to knock.
I can hear shuffling on the other side of the door and then sniffling.My heart cracks in my chest as I listen to Pearl cry through the door.
“Angel?It’s me.Please open the door.Let me fix this,” I beg.
The door remains locked.
I close my eyes, letting my forehead bang on the smooth wood door.“Please.”
“Go away, Wells.”
“I can’t!I can’t leave when I know you’re upset.We need to talk.I need to explain things.Please open the door and let me make this right.”
Silence.
I hold my breath, sending up a silent prayer that she lets me in.
“I can’t,” she chokes out.I hear her footsteps moving away from the door.
I drop to my knees.I’m not sure how long I stay there, kneeling outside her door, listening to her broken cries.
The sky grows darker, but I don’t move.I won’t.Not until Pearl lets me in and gives me a chance to earn her trust again.I’ve gone about this the wrong way; I see that now.I should have told her how much she meant to me this morning instead of maneuvering her where I wanted her.I should have told her how smart and beautiful she is.But more importantly, I should’ve given her a choice.I let my fear of losing her turn me into someone I’m not.
God, I fucked this all up.
I need to fix it.I’ll stay here.I’ll grovel and beg.I’ll do anything that she wants for a chance to make this right between us.
“Uh, can I help you?”a voice asks behind me.
