Page 149 of Harrison's Wedding

“This is going to be the longest week of my life,” I tell her before we end our call.

“Mine, too. You should know that I’ll be jumping your bones the second I see you on Monday,” she warns me.

“I’ll prepare to be jumped,” I laugh. As my laughter fades, I tell her softly, “I love you, angel.”

“I love you, too, Harrison. More than I thought I could ever love someone. When you get back from Los Angeles, maybe we can talk about what we want to do moving forward?”

I’m smiling like the cat that got the cream, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. Being patient with her was definitely the right thing to do, because this sounds like she wants to take the next step toward getting back together.

I’m glad that I haven’t tried to pressure her, and that she’s come to this decision of her own accord.

“That would mean so much to me; I look forward to it.”

We end our call, and I climb under the covers of our old bed. It’s so familiar, and I wish Heather were here with me. It’s reminiscent of the times I was at home and she was off in New York on business. Back then, I took for granted that she would be coming home to me. Now I’m just grateful to spend time with her at all.

* * *

It’sstrange waking in our bed the next morning. Sunlight is streaming into the room, and Michael is knocking on the door.

He cracks it open and calls out, “Are you awake, Mr. Fletcher?”

“Huh? Yes,” I groan.

Michael opens the door a little wider, and says, “I’m sorry, sir, but we have to leave for the airport very soon to make your flight.”

“Shit. Okay, yes.”

I glance at the clock and cringe. I’m going to have to get ready quickly if we don’t want to be late for our flight. I dash to the bathroom and shower before I head to the closet and pull on some clean clothes.

“Okay, I’m ready,” I tell Michael when I walk into the living room where he’s waiting for me. “I can have breakfast at the airport or even on the plane if I need to.”

“Excellent.” He smiles at me.

I take another look around the apartment, sighing deeply. I hate leaving it behind; it was nice being here last night. Maybe if the conversation with Heather goes well on Monday, I might be able to come back here again, sooner rather than later.

We head downstairs and Michael opens the door to the SUV for me while I send a text to Heather.

On my way to the airport. Can’t wait to see you when I get back. I’ll call you when I can.

I buckle my seatbelt while Michael gets into the driver’s seat in front of me, and I type out a text to Hayden.

I’m on my way. Should be there on time…just. Tell me you remembered my suitcase.

I can’t breathe until his reply comes through.

All good. Suitcase is safe and sound. See you when you get here.

I relax back into the seat and start reading some of my emails as we drive to the airport. We’re about halfway there and going through an intersection at high speed when there’s a loud screeching of tires, and everything turns black.

24

Breathe

Everything is strange. The world is made up of blocks, and I can’t piece them together to have them make sense. I try moving the blocks, and I get them together to make a picture, but it still doesn’t make sense. I can hear people talking, but they’re far away from me and I can’t see them.

The blocks disappear, and everything is black, but I can hear noises. Something hurts, but I don’t know what, and I groan my displeasure.

“Harrison?” Heather’s voice cuts through this strange experience.

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