Page 86 of My Sweetest Obsession
Because why else would she be here?
For her to show up, something serious must be happening.
My gut immediately tightens, dozens of different possible reasons she could be here flickering through my head, but she nods.
Her gaze cuts around the room again, and she shifts nervously. “Is it okay that I’m here?”
She came for the meeting?
It takes a second for my brain to process her question…and her intent to stay.
She came for you…
That realization is enough to make me want to drag her down into my arms and kiss her senseless, but I don’t know what any of this means, and true fear of doing or saying something that might send her running keeps my hands clenched at my sides instead.
“Yeah. Uh, it’s an open meeting, so…family and friends are welcome…”
I trail off because I don’t know what Ivy is.
Not technically family; definitely not just a friend.
We’re forever stuck in this weird place, a vicious cycle of pain and pleasure, hate and need, and it’s reached the point that we’re about to be completely destroyed by it.
She purses her lips, nervously shuffling her feet again, and rubbing her hand across her stomach. “Is it okay with you?”
Fucking hell…
Tears threaten, already burning in my eyes, but I somehow manage to blink them back and nod as I pull my jacket from the seat closest to the aisle and move it to the one Dale just vacated on my other side, giving her room to sit.
She offers me a tentative smile and slides in, settling and adjusting herself as if she’s uncomfortable—but whether it’s with the shitty chairs or the fact that she’s here at all remains as much of a mystery to me as what is going on inside her head.
Manny starts the meeting, and her hand slides over to mine.
She twines our fingers together and squeezes, and the warmth of her palm against mine floods up my arm and through my entire body, melting away all those chilling thoughts I had when I took this seat.
My heart stutters as I look at our entwined hands resting on my thigh.
We’ve touched each other in so many intimate ways, but somehow, this feels so much more meaningful than anything we’ve ever done together.
I tip my head toward her, trying to keep my voice low while Manny continues his welcoming thoughts. Her scent fills my lungs, and I breathe her in before I ask the question I probably shouldn’t.
“What are you doing here, Ivy?”
She pulls her bottom lip under her teeth and shakes her head, and I see the glisten of unshed tears in her eyes. Her slender shoulders rise and fall apologetically. “I don’t know.”
That waver in her voice…
Her unsteady but honest admission…
They’re enough to tell me all I need to know without her saying another word.
This is all she can give me right now.
Being here with me like this.
Sitting beside me and supporting my recovery by being here.
Trying to understand me better, even when she’s seen the bad.
