Page 67 of Poinsettia Lane

Her tears eventually slow, and her cries turn to hiccups, then to sporadic, shuddering breaths before they ease. Everly’s body slumps against the door behind her, and she closes her eyes with her head tipped back against it. Letting all of the emotion of the last week out at once was draining, and cathartic. She feels cleansed, in a way, and it clears her mind from the emotional upheaval.

Everly places her hands on the floor next to her, taking a steadying breath as she pushes herself to her feet and walks over to her desk. She carefully sits in her chair, straightening her back and rolling up to her work space. She pulls out a notebook and a pen, and she makes a list.

A short while later, Everly sets her pen down and picks up the list, reading it over. It’s a list of lies and truths. A list to prove her anxious thoughts wrong.

> Lie: Asim doesn’t care about me or love me.

>> Truth: Asim has shown me he cares in a number of ways: date 1 and date 2, spending time with me instead of other priorities, helping me with a large project.

> Lie: Now is not a good time for a relationship.

>> Truth: All relationships have ups and downs, and life will always throw curveballs. Even if he is more busy now, I believe we can make time for each other in a way that doesn’t put anyone in danger.

> Lie: I’m a liability. All I bring is hurt to those around me.

>> Truth: I haven’t done anything wrong. I didn’t hurt anyone or put anyone in danger. Asim is an adult who can make his own choices, set his own boundaries, and decide how to spend his time and money.

> Lie: I’m not good enough. I don’t deserve his love or affection.

>> Truth: I am a good person, and I deserve love. Everyone deserves love. Asim and I have a real connection, and we are good for each other. I am good enough.

Everly sets the paper back down on her desk, taking a long, slow breath as she sits back in her chair. Her heart wants to knit back together, but she’s scared. Terrified, really. Her anxiety fed her a bunch of realistic-sounding lies, and although she’s talked herself down for the most part, she needs to see him,talkto him, to solidify the truth.

Everly told him she wouldn’t let him push her away, and she’s not going to let herself push them apart either. She slaps her palms against her desk and stands, then strides across her office to the door.

She flings it open and lets out a piercing shriek that splits the air when she sees a hulking figure standing in the doorframe. Everly jumps back and slams it closed again.

Breathing hard and holding her hands to her chest, Everly tries to wrap her head around what just happened. She jumps again when a knock sounds on the door, right in front of her face, and a familiar voice calls her name.

Everly cracks the door open and peeks out, as though that will keep her safe from whoever is on the other side planning to murder her.

“Asim?” She pulls the door wide and tilts her head up at him. “What are you doing here?”

He shifts on his feet. “Can I come in? I’d like to talk, if you’ll allow me. I think I just need to make sure you’re okay. Thatweare okay.”

“Of course," she says, gesturing to him to have a seat on the couch. “I was actually just about to come talk to you. Wait… How did you know where my office was?”

Asim looks away, sheepish, running his hand through his hair.

“I tried to ask the front desk staff, but it took someconvincing to get your concierge to tell me. The staff are very loyal to you, by the way," he says.

Everly huffs half a laugh.

“Yes, well, I was about to come talk to you, too.”

Asim angles his head in question.

Now that her emotions are more or less under control, she can think more clearly.

“I know that you’re going to be really busy the next few weeks, and if you don’t want to date or, you know, be romantic, or whatever,” she pauses and narrows her eyes at his quiet huff. “I’m just trying to say I won’t push you. I won’t let you push me away, and I’m not going to let myself hide. I’m still going to be here for you, for us, but I also won’t push you. I care about you so much, and I want to stick up for us. That’s who I am, or at least it’s who I want to be. The kind of person I’m working toward.”

Asim leans forward and kisses her, cutting off her rambling nerves.

Pulling back just slightly, he cups her face and speaks softly against her lips. “I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to tell you one very important thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I love you. I love you with my whole heart, and I won’t ever let you go. Even when I am most afraid, I know we can get through it together. You’re right, of course you’re right. You are the light in my life and you breathe joy and sunshine into every moment. I am unmoored without you, my darling Ever. I know it’s a lot to ask after I disappeared, but please, forgive me?”

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