27
HAWK
Daniela’s cryingbefore I even realize what’s happening.
“Hey,” I murmur, turning toward her.“What’s wrong?”
She wipes at her cheek, but another tear slips free.“Nothing,” she says.“It’s just… This waiting area… It reminds me of my father’s office.”
Her voice is tight and strangled.She doesn’t elaborate, and I can tell she’s not going to.I want to press her, but there’s something fragile in her right now.I feel like if I push, she’ll shatter completely.
God knows she has enough other things on her mind.
We walk toward the truck.Did I make a mistake, bringing her here?With everything else going on?
But I need to know.
I need to know what our future looks like.Whether we have one at all.
And she deserves to know, too.
A woman dressed in a tailored brown suit calls her name.Daniela looks at me, hesitant, like she’s considering bolting for the exit.I stand before she can.
“It’s the counseling session,” I say.“It’s mandatory.”
“I don’t want to.”
“They won’t process the test without it.”
She huffs.“Fine.”
“You want me to come with you?”
Her voice is small.“Can you?”
“I can do anything,” I say softly.
She smiles, just barely.
We follow the woman past the lab where Dani’s blood was drawn to an office.
“I’m Dr.Pickway,” she says.“Please take a seat.”
Daniela sits on the sofa in front of the counselor’s desk, and I sit down next to her.Perhaps too close.But she doesn’t seem to mind.
“Ms.Agudelo,” she says, nodding.“I understand you’re here for genetic testing?”
“Yes,” I say.“We’re doing the Huntington’s panel.I called earlier.”
“I was addressing Ms.Agudelo.”
Daniela fidgets.“Yes.But Hawk made all the arrangements, and I want him here for this session.”
Dr.Pickway nods.“Of course.Whatever makes you the most comfortable.”
Daniela’s fingers twist together in her lap.I hate how small she looks in that chair.
I rest my palm against the back of the sofa, close enough to touch her but not actually doing it, because if I do, I’ll want to pull her into me and never let go.
