STAYING WITH HER

“Thank you. This is a glimpse of my future; it looks so peaceful there.”

“It’s very beautiful. I suggest you keep this, and don’t sell it,” I said.

She kissed me on the cheek. “Maybe I will.”

“I was going to tell you, you know,” she said.

I reached for her hands and brought her arms around my waist. “Tell me what?”

She took in a sharp breath, “About coming here and seeing Dr. Ray. I wanted to talk to you about it that day, but you were so angry; I heard you on the phone, in your office, with Ashlyn.”

I looked down, “I’m sorry, Steph. I never should have said those things to you; I was…”

“You need to tell me about what she wants this time, Dean. We can never move forward if you don’t, and I think I have a right to know,” she pleaded.

I turned around and pressed my forehead against hers, “I know, and I will; just not tonight.” I just found her, and we shared a perfect day. There was no way I going to ruin it by discussing Ashley. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when I