page19 (1/2)

“Honey, life is … so short I could tell you that it feels like yesterday that I met my wife That I fell in love with her instantly Tooto live, but believe h ti yourself Put yourself out there, and if he doesn’t like it, then you’ve lost nothing”

“What about a broken heart? They hurt”

“Broken hearts can be glued back together A lifetiret cannot”

He tapped her hand, and she watched hio She released a breath and closed her eyes It was lunchti where she worked and breathing in the fresh air as she left

She loved Dawg

As she stood watching people pass, she thought about the way he was always there She saw hi teased by herself and by Paul Then she thought back to the sex club, then to the nights they’d gone dancing He was different with her He smiled for her, and held her close Whenever his arms were around her, she felt safe, warm, comforted

“Lori”

Turning to her left she saw her father li toward her He had several bruises on his face, and she noticed his hand was bandaged up He also held a crutch, which helped him to walk

Aware that her bosses were just past that door a few feet away, she became nervous She tried her hardest to always avoid Sean

“You shouldn’t be here”

“I was hoping we could go and get a coffee”

“Why?”

“You’re still irl”

She scoffed “Wow, seriously”

“It’s what your mother would have wanted”

This er rushed to the surface, but she didn’t lash out “You’re right Let’s go and get coffee” She stood beside him and let him take the lead It was still warm, so they sat outside at one of the tables

Taking a sip of the scalding liquid, she wondered, not for the first time, what he wanted

“So, you clearly wanted to talk, so talk”

“I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” he said

She raised her brow “You want to know if I’m okay?”

“Yes”