Page 141 of Blackout-
“Right now,” I continue. “I’m going to march through those doors, meet with his counselor and then I’m going to waddle my way straight to my husband and everything is going to be perfect.”
“That’s right,” Nico agrees.
“Everythingisgoing to be perfect, right?” I whisper, snapping my attention back to him. He reaches out and touches a hand to my cheek.
“Beyond perfect.”
“Okay, I’m going for real this time.”
“Go!”
“Jesus, you don’t have to yell,” I mumble as I push open the door. It takes me a second to maneuver myself out of the car because, hey, short, fitted dress, maybe you weren’t my best idea. Slamming the car door shut, I make my way towards the building. It’s far from a march but I still silently rejoice when I stand in front of the reception desk and give my name.
Soon a woman with wild red hair walks up to me. She’s wearing bell bottoms and t-shirt that reads ‘groovy’and has the most warm and welcoming smile.
“Oh my God, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined,” she says as she blatantly rakes her eyes over me from head to toe. “Love the boots,” she comments. “And whoa…holy boobs! Are they yours?”
I open my mouth to respond but the words get lost on my tongue. She waves a hand dismissively.
“It doesn’t matter. Everyone’s getting them done these days. Anyway, there are a couple of things we should—”
This woman, as welcoming and odd as she is, she has my head spinning and I quickly interrupt her.
“I’m sorry, who are you?”
“Where are my manners?! I’m Dominic’s counselor, Sunny.”
I try to recall the last time I heard anyone refer to Blackie by his God-given name, but admittedly I can’t. I do love the sound of it, though, and it makes me wonder if he still cringes when he hears it.
“Shall we?”
Focusing, I manage to nod. Sunny leads me down a corridor and starts to fill me on Blackie’s recovery and some of the treatments he’s been engaging in. Lastly, she advises me to save any resentful feelings I have towards him for when he makes amends and encourages me to make today’s visit about reconnecting with one another.
“I think that’s it. Do you have any questions for me?”
“How long do we have together?”
“We’ve cleared his afternoon schedule so there’s no rush,” she replies as she comes to a stop. Her eyes dart to the door towards her left before she looks back at me. “Here we are.”
I glance at the door and draw in a deep breath.
“Do I just go in?”
“Yes, he’s expecting you.”
She takes a step back and I take two forward. My hand closes around the doorknob and with my heart in my throat, I twist it. Pushing the door open, I take one step after another until I see him. Dressed in dark jeans, a bright white Henley and a pair of Timberlands on his feet, he’s the leading man in all my dreams. I don’t know if he hears the door or if he senses me, but he slowly lifts his head and I feel his dark eyes slide over me. My body goes completely still, and I focus on his handsome face and all the clear-cut lines that are no longer hidden behind his scruff. His features so perfect, so symmetrical, they’re…beautiful.
Our eyes connect and I realize it, I’m no longer walking.
I’m not marching either.
I’m not even waddling.
I’m running.
Straight for him.
Towards his handsome face and the smile that’s all for me.
