Carl’s expression doesn’t change. “And that’s why I made it a condition.”
“You weren’t worried I couldn’t do the job?”
He shakes his head. “I knew you could do the job. I was worried you’d use it as another excuse not to deal with everything else.”
“I wasn’t ready.”
“And now?”
“Now . . .” I look down the hall toward the memory care unit. I think about Aspen’s face right before she told me she loved me.
“Now, I think I’m tired.”
“Of what?”
“Waiting for everything to hurt.”
I pull out my phone, bringing up the search bar and typing until the results I need pull up.
Carl’s brow lifts and he shifts in the chair, leaning forward.
“What are you doing?”
“Something I should have done a long time ago.”
The phone rings twice before a chipper voice answers.
Timberline Peak Counseling Services.
“Hi, this is Emmett Slate. I was hoping to schedule an appointment.”
The scheduler and I exchange information while Carl sits there, watching. And when I disconnect, he stands, patting me on the shoulder before he passes.
“Proud of you.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Since he’s not looking for an answer, I don’t.
Instead, I let Carl head back out the front door, leaving me alone to figure out what the hell tomorrow looks like.
Because I don’t have all the answers. But I know one thing. I’m not losing Aspen because I was too afraid to tell her I love her.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-TWO
ASPEN
Everyone has moments they look back on in life and thinkholy shit, how did I do that. This feels like one of those moments for me. The nerves coursing through me alone are enough to make me want to throw up.
So much so that I almost didn’t come.
Crawling into my bed and hiding would’ve been preferable.
Jeremiah isn’t worth the paperwork, the looks, or the disruption to my life.
