Page 26 of Say Yes

“Come on. Let’s go home.”

After helping me out of the booth, Philip wrapped his long arms around me, tucked me into his side, and led me toward the door.

“Sully,” I heard him call over my head. “We gotta go. I’ll call you later. Thanks, man.”

He guided me outside, narrowly avoiding a collision with another couple walking down the sidewalk. Once he had me in the truck, I realized I was beginning to hyperventilate. I barely heard Philip’s door slam shut.

“Slow down, Casey. Look at me and breathe, honey.” His hands grasped my face, turning it toward him as I sucked in breath after breath without really exhaling. He slowed his breathing down, and I kept my eyes locked on his as I tried to force myself to match his slow, even breaths. It took all my focus, but finally, I could feel my inhalations becoming shorter, and my exhalations longer, until I was breathing at a nice, normal pace.

Then, I burst into tears. Uncontrollable, snotty sobbing. I wasn’t a pretty crier to say the least. Philip, lord love him, looked horrified. He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his strong arms around me, enveloping me with his warmth. He did his best to comfort me. Eventually, my sobs subsided, and I was able to pull myself together. I reluctantly moved from his embrace and grabbed a tissue from my purse to wipe my nose on.

“Will you take me home now, please?” I begged, turning away from him and staring out the window.

There was a long pause, and I suspected Philip wanted to say something more than, “sure,” but he didn’t. Instead, he put the truck in drive and drove us home.

“Can you stay with me for a while?” I asked when we’d pulled into the drive.

“Of course. Whatever you want,” he was quick to answer.

Once in the house, I made my way to the couch, patting the cushion next to me for Philip to sit. After he was settled, I plastered myself against his side and laid my head on his chest. His arm came around my shoulder, and he pulled me closer. I didn’t want to talk. I just wanted to lay here and feel safe and protected. Inhaling deeply, I breathed in the faint smell of a musky cologne, laundry detergent, and male skin. Thankfully, Philip must have sensed my need for peace and quiet, because he didn’t try to talk. He just held me close. My eyes grew heavy, and just before I drifted off to sleep, I realized that being here, in Philip’s embrace, was what love felt like.

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