Page 6 of Choosing a Forever
“Fine,” I grumble.
With a small smile, Talmage leads me to the ambulance where the paramedic asks me if anything hurts. I tell him my neck is a bit sore, but I don’t think anything is wrong. He runs through a few motion tests, and the whole time, Talmage stands there with his eyes on me like some kind of watch dog. My entire body is tense with him so close.
“Take some pain medicine, and if you get severe headaches or the neck pain increases, see a physician straight away,” the paramedic says once he’s finished his tests.
“Got it. Am I good to go now?” I try to keep the impatience out of my tone, but more time here means less money on my next paycheck.
The paramedic gives me the all clear, and I turn to head back to the side of the road to can call Lizzie.
Talmage follows, his steps matching mine. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, really. I don’t want to keep you from your job any longer. It was good seeing you, Talmage. Have a good evening.”
His eyebrows furrow at my dismissal, and his lips tip down just a smidge before he rights them into his signature sunshiney smile. “You too, Mackenzie. Be safe out there. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
I sure hope not.
“Okay.”
He turns around and walks back to the bright red firetruck I’m assuming he arrived in, and I shake off theweird emotions that have me feeling like I’m going to puke. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I call Lizzie.
“Mack? Shouldn’t you be at work already?”
“I was in an accident—”
“Oh myGod!Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Lizzie. I just need a ride to and from work tonight if that’s okay?”
“Of course it’s okay! Jesus. Drop me a pin, and I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks.” I hang up and send her my location, then maneuver through the crowd of first responders to grab my purse and coat from my car.
Standing on the side of the road, I watch the first responders finish clearing up the minimal mess from the accident. My car is loaded on the tow truck by the time Lizzie arrives, and the driver gives me a card for the repair shop he’s taking it to so I can check on it tomorrow.
I hop into the passenger seat of Lizzie’s car, grateful she left the twins at home for this short trip because I can’t stop myself from blurting, “Talmage is a firefighter.”
Lizzie scans the crowd of firemen, and her lips pop open into an “o” when she spots him. “Nofuckingway, dude. Did he talk to you?”
“Yeah. He asked me where my coat was, then rambled about pneumonia and air quality? I don’t know. Then he said, ‘Maybe I’ll see you around.’”
“No he didn’t! God, what a douche!”
“I don’t think he was trying to be a douche, I think we were both in shock. I mean, it’s been almost eleven years since we graduated. Thirteen since he broke upwith me. He’s clearly over it, and so am I. It was just… unexpected.”
Lizzie snorts. “Sure, Mack. I believe you. Not like you’ve told me about the dreams.”
I should have never fucking told her about them. Almost every night since graduation, my mind creates different dream scenarios where Talmage finds me and declares his undying love for me. He says I’m the only one he’s ever wanted, he regrets ever breaking up, and he’s been trying to find me since graduation.
My brain is a cruel bitch.
Lizzie and I got drunk one night, and I told her about the dreams. She’s been a good friend and hasn’t mentioned it.
Until now—theworstpossible moment.
“Isn’t he married?” she asks when I don’t reply right away.
“I don’t know. I don’t follow him on social media anymore, remember?”
