AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Trenton didn’t know what to say to either of them, and the drive over didn’t help him find the words. He asked at the desk and received directions to the proper waiting room. Malcolm was walking down the hall as he approached, and Trenton slowed. “Hey, I heard. Is Katie okay?”
“Yeah, she will be.” Malcolm frowned. “They said her boss getting her here so quickly helped. I just called to let him know she’d come out of surgery.” He sighed. “I guess I can no longer hate the guy.”
Trenton shook his head at his friend, his lips tilting. “I didn’t realize you hated him.”
Malcolm shrugged. “It was the business suit.”
Trenton looked down at his own outfit. “I wear suits.”
Malcolm leveled a stare at him. “Well, I don’t like you very much right now, either.”
Any possibility of smiling faded. “I can understand that. I’m not too happy with myself. I’m really sorry, Malcolm.”
His friend was the first one to look away. “Tell her. You didn’t do anything to me.”
“Didn’t I?”
Malcolm flushed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Blake told me a bit more about what you were saying to him last night.”
Trenton closed his eyes. “I had no business saying anything to him. I was being an idiot.”
When he opened his eyes again, Malcolm was smiling at him faintly. “It’s rare for you to be,” he said. “That means something.”
Trenton’s stomach dropped. “Malcolm, you know I can’t—”
Malcolm held up his hand. “Don’t explain things to me. Celia’s over near the vending machines. She’s getting my parents coffee, since they’re being overly dramatic, like usual.”
Trenton hesitated. “Are you going to be okay dealing with them right now?”
Malcolm shrugged. “I’m used to it.” He slapped a hand on Trenton’s back as he passed, turning down the hall toward the waiting room.
There was a sign a little farther down, showing Trenton exactly where the vending machines were. His feet felt too heavy to move, but he lifted one anyway. Each step was easier than the last. He did want to talk to her. Maybe a neutral space would make it easier.
Celia was muttering at the coffee machine, pushing a button, but nothing was happening.
“Celia?” he called softly, but she still jerked around, her eyes widening.
“Oh, Trenton.” She closed her eyes, taking a breath before opening them. “Did you see Malcolm already?”
Trenton pointed over his shoulder. “We just talked. He asked me to check on you to see if you needed help with the coffee.”
They stared at each other, and his throat ached to see the same sadness from the night before etched on her face.
“I’m sorry,” they both blurted out at the same time.
Trenton winced, but her eyes widened. He stepped toward her, coaching himself not to reach for her hands like he wanted. “You need to know, I never thought you were crazy.”
Celia ducked her head.
Trenton pressed on. “I shouldn’t have been talking to Blake about us. Hearing your story and being with you that night…”
“I know, it’s a lot. You don’t have to explain.”
He gave in, reaching out to grasp her hand. “I couldn’t help falling for you a little more. Celia, I—”
“Don’t say it!” she snapped, jerking away.
Trenton could only stare at her.
