Slowing down, Heidi squeezed Lila’s fingers. “Trust me, please.”
Lila sighed and settled against Heidi’s side again. “No, I don’t see myself at the hospital in ten years.”
“Where then?”
“I don’t know, but somewhere else.”
“Do you want to go back to school?”
Lila thought a moment before shaking her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Okay, so not at the hospital but open to possibilities.”
“Yes.”
Heidi dropped a kiss onto Lila’s lips. “Who is with you in ten years?”
“I have no idea.”
“Try five years. Who is with you in five years? Who are your friends? Who do you spend time with?”
Lila’s plump lips parted before she closed them quickly. Heidi’s heart doubled its speed as she waited for the answer. She would be perfectly fine if Lila didn’t say her and Ann. She had to keep telling herself that, although she knew inside she would be heartbroken if that wasn’t the answer. If Lila didn’t want to be with them for that length of time, she would let Lila go. She’d have to.
When at least a minute had passed and Lila hadn’t answered, Heidi nudged her with her shoulder. “Who’s with you in five years?”
“My parents.”
“And your sister, yes?”
Lila nodded. “Yeah, her too.”
“What about friends?” Heidi rubbed her thumb gently along the back of Lila’s hand, tracing a gentle back-and-forth pattern to try and soothe whatever upset she knew she was causing.
“There are a couple I can think of who might still be around. I’ve never had long-lasting friendships, though.”
“Me either,” Heidi commented. “Except for Ann.”
Lila nodded, tears in her eyes as she turned to look up at Heidi. “Yeah, Ann. I’ve known her since I started at the hospital. I think she’ll still be around.”
Heidi’s lips twitched as she tried to contain her smile. Lila hadn’t said in a relationship. Either way, Ann would still be working at the hospital in ten years, that much Heidi knew. And if Lila was there for any considerable time, they would still see each other on a regular basis.
“Will I?” Heidi finally asked.
A single tear slipped from the corner of Lila’s eye and down her cheek before she moved her gaze, not making eye contact again. “I don’t know.”
“I love an honest answer,” Heidi whispered. “I know I would love to have you still in my life in five years, please know that. When you’re ready to answer that question, let me know in your own time.”
“Okay,” Lila whispered.
Heidi turned Lila’s chin upward so their lips could meet in a sweet kiss. She closed her eyes, listening to Lila’s breath, her shifting on the couch, and Heidi’s own heartbeat as it thudded. She could wait for an answer. She had to. There was no other choice.
Lila took the moment, curling her fingers in the back of Heidi’s hair and holding their mouths together in a long kiss. The embrace turned from sweet and comforting to heated before slowing back down. They went back and forth, both listening to the moment and to each other as they stayed locked together on the couch, mouths touching, hands exploring, lives intertwining even if only for this short period of time.
They broke apart when Ann cleared her throat as she sat on the chair adjacent to the couch. Ann raised an eyebrow and stared at them curiously. “Don’t stop on my account. It’s quite interesting to watch.”
Heidi grinned and rolled her eyes as she pecked Lila’s lips one last time before grabbing for her tea, which was cold. She frowned into it before Ann spoke up again.
“I started more water for you, don’t worry.”