“I’m pretty much always right,” I teased. “You’ll have to get used to that if we’re going to be together.”
“Huh?”
We were leaving tomorrow and even though we both lived in the same city, it suddenly felt very important that I settle things between us.
“Erika, I really like you. I’ve never felt such an intense connection to someone before. I’m hoping we can keep seeing each other once we’re back in New York.”
She stiffened. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We come from vastly different worlds, Reed.”
“So?”
I turned my head to meet her eyes. They were wary as she suggested, “Why don’t we just take it day by day and see how it goes?”
I debated arguing with her, then realized that we had time. She was clearly pushing me off, but we didn’t need to settle everything tonight. If I pushed her too far before she was ready, I knew instinctively she would retreat. She didn’t think she deserved love, that much was clear, but I was determined to show her that she was wrong. I was already head over heels in love with her, but given that we lived in the same city, we had time to work it out. I could give her a little space to come to terms with what was happening between us.
“You got it, angel. Are you ready for round two?”
Erika
“Well, how was the wedding?”
I smiled as my friend Marjorie stuck her head into my office.
“It was beautiful. A perfect day.”
Marjorie came in and dropped into one of the chairs that were set up for my sessions with clients. I moved from behind my desk to join her.
“Lemme see the pictures,” she said, making grabby hands at my phone.
I smiled and opened my Facebook app where wedding guests had posted candid pictures on April’s profile. She scrolled through with a smile.
“April looked beautiful. And that Jonathon is a handsome kid.”
“Totally.”
“Wow. Erika. I’ve never seen you look so fancy.”
I looked down at a photo someone had taken of me with April. I had to admit that I did look good. In my job I usually dressed casually because many of our clients were put off by counselors who dressed up. It was easier to connect with people when you were wearing jeans and a shirt instead of something more corporate looking.
Marjorie scrolled again, then her head snapped up.
“And who is this handsome man, young lady? He looks familiar.”
Someone had captured a picture of me and Reed dancing. We were dancing close, our faces mere inches away as we stared into each other’s eyes. In the next shot, we were sitting at a table, talking and laughing. I had to admit, we looked good together.