Page 53 of Dreams
“Fine. Just promise you’ll be careful.”
“I will,” she sighed.
“I have to go.” He suddenly remembered that Taylor was waiting for him. Glancing at his phone, he cursed himself for taking so long.
“Alright. Love you, Joshy. Try not to beat yourself up for something that was out of your control.”
“Back at you.”
He hung up and got to his feet. By the time he reached the car, Taylor had been sitting there for close to forty-five minutes.
Her kindle cast a glow across her face as she looked up and smiled. Her lips dropped immediately when she took in his splotchy face and hair that had been pulled every which way.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
It was as if the last hour he’d been held underwater, gasping for air. Then there she was. The light at the surface. All he had to do was reach for her and he could breathe.
“I’m okay now.” He took her hand and smiled. “Sorry I took so long.”
“It’s totally okay,” she said, her face brightening as she talked. “I was in this really big battle scene in my book and may have had to hurt you if you interrupted me before it was over.”
“Well,” he said, trying to smile. “We couldn’t have that.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “What happened in there?”
The story poured out, and she listened intently as she started to understand Josh’s family. When he finished, she didn’t say anything at first. Reaching out, she pulled him into a tight hug, not letting go.
He rested his chin on her shoulder and breathed in deep, even breaths.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “This must be hard.”
“It’s a little easier now.”
She leaned back and looked at him before pressing her lips to his cheek. “You once said you’d be good for me. Maybe I can be good for you too.”
