Page 76 of David's Love

Him coming home? Or to my place, at least? And look how it all turned out.

What if something happens to him?

What if something happens to the other man and David gets in trouble?

What a stupid, stupid thing.

Apprehension still spins in my chest ten minutes later. I don’t know why it takes so long. The more time passes, the more nervous I get.

I make myself a cup of tea to fill that void and calm my brain.

Still, nothing. No development of any kind. No news.

Absently, I dunk a tea bag in a cup of hot water and take a sip, scalding my mouth.

I put my drink down and go to the door.

The street is quiet when I open it, and if it weren’t for his car parked in front of my place, I’d say he wasn’t even here.

I close the door and go to the kitchen again, as I simply cannot sit and wait. And then steps ring outside. Long strides, firm steps. The sounds grow louder and louder, mirroring the racing of my heart before he softly knocks.

It’s him. David. It must be him.

I rush to the door, look outside, spot his suit jacket, and open the door. I can’t get soon enough in his embrace.

I have never been so happy.

My arms loop around his waist.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” I say as he kisses my hair.

I break away from him but don't go too far.

“What happened?” I ask, our eyes locked, his arms still around me, mine still around him.

“You don’t need to worry about that man again,” he says, and I stare at him, petrified.

“What did you do to him? Who was he? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. As fine as he can be given the circumstances. He tilts his chin toward my place. “May I come in?”

“Yes, of course,” I say, stepping back, my eyes trained on his face as he looks around the house.

“Has he tried to enter your place?”

“No,” I say, closing the door behind him and quickly shifting the lock. “Did you catch him?”

I show him to the couch.

He looks as sharp as always, with crisp clothes, freshly shaved, and smelling like a million bucks, but I notice dark circles around his eyes.

“Are you hungry?” I ask before he can answer.

“No. I ate on the plane.”

“We can eat sandwiches,” I say. “I need a bite.”

“If you insist.”

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