I'm not sure what reaction I expected, but it sure wasn't this deafening silence. My admission takes on a life of its own, hanging in the air between us.
Keegan taps his foot against the floor, his hands clenching and unclenching as his eyes dart everywhere in the small exam room.
Everywhere but in my direction.
"What do you say?" I croak, taking a step toward him.
He holds up his hand, stopping me in my tracks. "I need time to think. I wasn't expecting this today. It's thrown me for a bit of a loop."
Nodding, I swallow back the tears. Certainly not the outcome I hoped for—that would have ended with one of his soul-searing kisses, and my skirt hiked up to unladylike levels as my favorite doctor provided me with his own personal brand of examination.
Instead, he remains stock still, save for the incessant tapping of his foot. "I have another patient waiting. My last for the day. I should go read her file."
Right. Message received.
Well, Calliope, you did what you set out to do. You told him what you wanted.
After reading the letter he left for Nigel, I assumed Keegan's cold demeanor was because of a broken heart.
My mistake. It seems the only heart bound for cracking is mine.
His heart has mended up just fine, locking out any concept of us together in the process.
Still, I'll never regret telling Keegan how I feel. It just might take a few decades to bounce back from this one.
Forcing a smile, I grab my purse. "I won't keep you. You have my number. Please use it. I really hope you use it."
Finally, those blue eyes meet mine, his lips pursed into a thin line. "Take care, Calliope."
Hating the fact that we might end on such a somber note, I flash a brilliant grin. Am I dying inside? Absolutely. But he need never know that fact. "FYI, there's a Fawlty Towers marathon on BBC, starting tonight."
"Is that a fact?"
"Would I lie about something as imperative as good television? I think not, Dr. Russo." Pausing by the door, I blow him a kiss. "I'm so glad that I met you. You brought back my glow."
Am I hoping he'll block my exit, both from the room and his life?
Without a doubt, but Keegan lets me pass with only a small nod of his head.
Sometimes, life doesn't turn out the way you plan. So, you make new plans. Now, I just have to convince my broken heart of that fact.