Page 99 of A Chance for Us
“Hey, Dr. Pang?”
“Yes?”
“Can I still have sex?”
Her head shakes as she lets out an amused sigh. “Yes, but maybe go a little less aggressively.”
I would argue, but going slow, torturously slow, is just what the doctor ordered.
* * *
The drive to Columbus feels like it takes forever.
I pull into the driveway of her father’s ranch-style home, and the door flies open. Maren rushes out, and I barely have enough time to react before she jumps into my arms. I hold her to my chest, savoring the feel of her again. Nothing else matters but this—her. The woman who turned my world upside down and I drove for hours just to see.
I’ve missed her.
Jesus, has it only been three days? What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Ollie,” she says with so much reverence that my knees buckle and I sink to the grass.
With her hands on my cheeks, she pulls my head back so she can look at me with those beautiful green eyes I want to get lost in. “Hi to you too.”
She giggles. “I missed you.”
“I was just thinking the same thing. How are you? How’s your dad?”
Her lips downturn. “He’s weakening by the day. Yesterday, he had some energy, but today, he hasn’t gotten out of bed.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“It’s okay. I know it’s coming, but I’m just glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
And I know that this is exactly where I need to be. Maren leans in, pressing her lips to mine.
“Really, Maren? Do you think we don’t have neighbors?” Linda’s chiding voice comes from the door.
“Sorry, Linda, I missed my wife.”
“Youdidn’t go running and leaping out the door.”
Maren rolls her eyes. “We’ll be right in, Linda.”
The door closes, and I grin at her. “Looks like we’re in trouble.”
“Not you. I’m pretty sure she thinks you walk on water. It’s just me who is the hellion.”
“Has she been bad?”
Maren climbs off me and gets to her feet. “Bad? No. Normal is the better word. I’m the horrible child who didn’t come until it was pointed out. I don’t have great manners. I don’t know my father’s needs like she does. Blah, blah, blah. It’s fine. Once Daddy is gone, I am rid of her.”
I kiss her forehead. “Always a bright side.”
“My bright side is that you’re here and you can tame the shrew.”
“For you, I’ll try.”
