Page 125 of Descent

I love you.

I don’t say it, of course. It sounds crazy, and she already thinks I’m crazy enough.

I feel it, though. Just being in her presence fills me with a potent mix of happiness, peace, and belonging.

If that’s not what love feels like, then maybe I don’t know what love is.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Hallie

It’s morning when my eyes open again.

Calvin is gone, but he left me a pile of presents on his side of the bed.

Wiping the bleariness from my eye, I try to sit up, but my body still feels tired.

I sink back down and grab the now-familiar matte black envelope off his pillow.

Hallie,

I have to leave for work, but I’ve transferred your alarm to your cell phone. Take it with you today, but I’ll be retrieving it and putting it away again tonight.

I fed Marie breakfast so you don’t have to worry about it.

Hollis has your credit card in case you decide to do any shopping.

Enjoy your day out. I hope your work meeting goes well. Don’t forget that once your current commitments have been fulfilled, you’ll be halving your workload. Now that we have a baby on the way, you can reduce it even more if you want to. I’m sure there will be plenty popping up to keep you busy.

-Calvin

That last line seems strangely ominous, but I don’t think he meant it that way.

Sighing, I drop the envelope and force myself to sit up. I shift so I’m sitting cross legged on the mattress, then I haul the black Chanel bag over first. It’s a small bag, and inside I find a long, beautiful necklace with black and pearly white beads on a gold chain with gold Chanel Cs in two places. It’s fashionable and lovely, just my style.

I grab the Nordstrom bag next and pull out a cute skirt, black and white houndstooth check print. There’s a thin white top with it, long-sleeved and ribbed, but it doesn’t seem like it will be too hot. When I go to unfold the shirt so I can look at the whole thing, a note falls out.

You could wear this in Paris…

A smile claims my lips, but I shake my head.

He’s so crazy.

Since I have my phone today, I grab it and text him, “I’m not going to Paris with you.”

A moment passes before he sends back, “Why?”

I ignore his crazy question and grab the shoe box to see which shoes he picked out for me today. It’s a pair of black sandals with a strap over the toe and an ankle strap. There’s a heel, but it’s a low one.

My phone buzzes and I grab it, expecting it to be Calvin trying to sell me on Paris some more, but it’s Charity.

Forgetting for a moment all the crap we shouldn’t talk about, I text her back. I’m so proud of myself for being on top of it today. Since it crossed my mind yesterday, I ask her about having lunch after my meeting, and she agrees.

I gather all my new things and go in to take a shower and get ready for the day. I woke up before my alarm and forgot to turn it off, so it goes off while I’m in the shower.

As I’m doing my hair and makeup, I wonder if I should text Calvin. He knows when my meeting is and what time I wanted to be up, but I don’t know if he’s sending Hollis, or I have to call for him.

When I emerge from the bedroom, though, Hollis is waiting on the couch. “Ready to go?” he asks, sitting forward so he can stand.

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