Page 128 of One Night Only
Tears prick my eyes and anxiety licks around my chest and clenches it so tight it feels like I can’t breathe, but I know I need to be strong because Dallas didn’t sign up for this.
I will not fall apart. I will not fall apart.
With trembling fingers, I slide to answer the call. “Hello, Emily speaking.”
“Hi, Emily, this is Dr. Chai.” She sounds happy. But does it sound a little forced, like maybe she’s trying to soften the blow? My heart pounds against my ribs.
“Hi…” My voice doesn’t even sound like me.
Dallas rubs his hands up and down my arms in an attempt to soothe me. But I can’t look at him. I can’t risk him seeing the fear in my eyes because I know what this phone call is. It’s not my first rodeo.
“Emily, I’m so sorry to bother you this late on a Friday afternoon, but I just got the results of your scans…”
I try to swallow around the lump in my throat, but it won’t budge. “Uh-huh.”
“Everything came back perfectly normal.”
“What?” I balk, because surely I just misheard her.
Dr. Chai chuckles at my reaction. “Imaging detected no evidence of disease. And, in fact, your blood work has come back even better than it did in October.”
I have no words. Nothing. Rendered completely speechless. I don’t even think I’m breathing. The relief is almost too much. It’s taking everything I have not to fall to the floor.
“I know we had an appointment booked next week, but my assistant forgot to block out my calendar, and I’ll be offsite at a convention in Geneva. And I really didn’t want you to have to wait until I’m back.”
I can’t help it. My emotion does get the better of me, and I’m a sniveling mess as I try to form words, covering my face with a shaking hand. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“I had a quick word with Dr. Ismail about your results before I called you, and he’s satisfied with your progress so far, and we agree that we can move you to six-month checks,” Dr. Chai continues. “Of course, you’ll need to continue your self-exams, and contact me with any and all concerns, but I’m confident, so long as you’re comfortable.”
“Yes,” I say before she barely finishes talking.
Dr. Chai laughs again. “I’ll have my assistant schedule you in, and you’ll receive the usual text message with all the details of your next imaging appointments and pathology orders.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I say with a sniffle.
When I end the call, I stare down at the black screen a moment, collecting myself. Then when I look up, I find Dallas watching me closely. I can tell he’s desperate to know, but he’s not pushing me. And that’s one of the things I love most about him.
I wipe my tear-stained cheeks with the cuff of his flannel that I’m wearing, swallowing hard, and despite the tears that continue to fall, I manage a watery smile. “My scans were all normalandthey’re moving me to six-month checks.”
“Baby,” Dallas whispers, his own eyes shining.
He cups my face, holding me right where I am before crashing his lips against mine in a kiss that makes my knees go weak. He pours everything into this one kiss—his emotions, his relief, his promise that, no matter what, he will always be here with me. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him right back, still crying, but also laughing as a plethora of unhinged emotions course through me at once. I need to get a grip, but I can’t. And that’s okay. I don’t need to conceal my chaotic emotions to spare Dallas because Dallas isn’t Luke.
Dallas hitches me higher so I’m forced to wrap my legs around his waist, and then he carries me through to the bedroom, sitting on the bench at the end of the bed and resting me on his lap so I’m straddling his thighs.
Pulling back, he gazes at me and he tsks, cupping my cheeks. “How the fuck did I get so damn lucky?”
“Stop.” I duck my chin, shying away.
“Like hell, Goldie,” he scoffs. “You’re perfect, and I’m gonna make sure you know that by reminding you of it every day for the rest of my life.”
“Dallas,” I say softly.
“Emily,” he mocks, playfully.
I giggle.
“God, I love that sound.” He sighs contentedly. “I love everything about you.”
