Page 13 of Unpermitted Love

“Then stay here with me.” He turns his head and looks at me. “I want you so much, Anna. I want you to be mine. I mean officially mine. Mrs. Annalise Wilson-Torres.”

“Hal … don't you think we should …”

“Slow down? I get it. But I'm just telling you what I want, Anna. I want you and I'm not going to let anything come in the way of that.”

I reach up to touch his beautiful face. “Kiss me, Hal Torres.”

He kisses me passionately. I love the way my body eagerly responds to him, as though I belong with him.

***

Over the next few days, Hal and I spend our evenings together. It’s been total bliss. I have never been happier. Hal has asked me to move in with him, but I’ve refused. For now. It isn’t the right time; I don't want to leave my apartment or be a distraction. Hal’s work is extremely important to him, and so is mine. There is also a small part of me that wants to maintain a semblance of independence. I love it when he spends the night at my place or I at his.

I drive to the hospital listening to the radio. ‘All of Me’ by John Legend comes on. It immediately brings back memories of our first dance. And first kiss. I turn the volume up, reminiscing about that first passionate night together. That night changed everything for me. For the better.

I arrive at the hospital twenty minutes later and walk past Dr Monroe’s office, to get to my desk. She is the leading clinical psychologist in the country and I’m so glad that I have this opportunity to intern with her. She is an amazing psychologist and, incidentally, knows Hal personally. The kind of circles Hal ran in was more than enough to make him strut about like a peacock. But there is no ounce of arrogance about him, like Tasha had made me believe. If only she could see him the way I did, she would know that all her prejudices were wrong.

As I arrive at my desk, I hear my phone ringing, interrupting my happy thoughts. I pick it up and look at the screen. I immediately feel nauseous, as if someone had just walked in to tell me of committing a hideous crime.

It’s Tasha.

She's never called me this early before.

“Hey, Sis. What's up?” My heart begins to race as I try to sound as normal as possible. I don’t want her to know about me and Hal. Not yet at least. But keeping secrets has never been my strong suit.

“I'm great. I've been meaning to call, but I’ve been so busy with work, and I’ve had a lot of things on my mind.”

“Is that code talk for ‘I’ve met a hot new guy’?”

“Uhh … maybe.” I don’t want to lie completely. Maybe just a white lie?

“Yay!” Tasha squeals. “Well, don't make me beg for the details! Tell me everything. I want to hear everything. What’s he like? What’s his name?”

Now what do I do? If I don't tell her now, she's bound to find out later anyway. I know Hal is prepared to fight for us but I want to break the news in a better way. Perhaps I should tell her. It will be easier the sooner she finds out. And I guess she should find out from me instead of someone else.

“Tasha, don't get all crazy alright?”

“What do you mean? Wait … oh my gosh! Don't tell me you're dating a Hollywood star?! Wow!”

“He's not a Hollywood star, Tasha.”

“Um … okay … is he a tech guru or some young billionaire who recently inherited a fortune?”

“You could say that … Ok, Tasha, remember when we were talking about Hal and I said …”

“What? Why have you brought him into this conversation …?” I hear the penny drop, and then, “You can’t be serious. Hal Torres? You're dating Hal Torres?!”

“Don't freak out Tasha. We …”

“Are you out of your freaking mind? You're dating the one person I specifically told you to stay away from?”

Something bursts inside my head and I suddenly see red. “Hold on Tasha. I'm not a 13-year-old that you can boss around anymore. I’m a grown woman! Just tell me what it is that you hate about him so much. You have never actually given me any tangible detail or evidence. You just say he’s some evil bastard, but it doesn’t add up. Not even slightly. Well, he's not. I know him and he's a wonderful person and we love each other.”

The silence on the other end is deafening. Tasha’s probably trying not to scream her lungs out at me. But I’m done playing the sweet obedient younger sister who does everything she was asked. I love Hal and he is nothing like she painted.

“Annalise, I don't know what he’s told you but let’s get one thing straight. Hal is not the right man for you. He never has been and never will be. No one will ever accept what you both think you have. No one. Have you lost your mind?”

“I don't care what anyone thinks. Hal and I are going to be together.”

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