Page 234 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Would she?

Three days.

The voicemail.

She listened.

She heard every word.

And she still left.

***

The realization steals every bit of air from my lungs.

My fingers loosen.

The untouched vanilla latte slips from my hand.

It lands upright on the reception counter with a dull thud before slowly tipping onto its side.

Coffee spills across the polished surface.

Neither of us moves to stop it. I can only stare at the growing puddle.

She heard me.

She heard every word I never found the courage to say face-to-face.

And she still walked away.

"No." The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it. "There has to be some mistake."

Mrs. Alvarez's eyes glisten. "I wish there was."

"She wouldn't just..."

I can't finish the sentence. Not Annette. Not without saying goodbye.

Not after...

The voicemail.

I look toward the treatment hallway. Toward Room Three.

I’m half expecting her to come around the corner carrying her clipboard, ready to tease me for arriving early.

The hallway stays empty.

"When will she be back?"

Mrs. Alvarez slowly shakes her head. "Jamie..."

"No." My voice comes out sharper this time.

"I need to see Dr. Reynolds."

Mrs. Alvarez hesitates.