by Vera Quinn
“My intentions were to go, have fun—never thinking to meet someone as wonderful as you, Max. You’re everything I never thought I needed in my life. That breath of fresh air into my lungs. You rejuvenated me. Brought back laughter dare I say I needed.” He shakes his head and continues, “After a hellish four years, you brought passion into my world. Yet the second I found out you had cancer, my fears took over. I don’t want to stand here and watch someone… I care about lose their life, while I can’t do a fucking thing about it. So, I panicked.”
I swipe tears streaking down my cheeks. I try reining in my emotions, but like an erupted dam, all I need to say pours out of me. “I’m sorry about your mother and the loss you and your family had to go through. But,” I take a breath and let it out slowly, “you’re a coward, Luke.
You could have talked to me, rather than running away. Instead, you decided to leave without knowing what the real diagnosis of my cancer is. Not answering my calls or texts was pretty shitty too. This whole time, I thought I did something wrong,” I admit in a strangled cry. Dropping my eyes down at my hands, I know I have to get this out before I cave. “Thank you for telling me why. Now I need rest. Please, go have a good life.” I try to turn away but the pain in my groin hits me too fast and a loud whimper escapes my mouth.
“Max. What’s wrong?” Luke is immediately by my side, touching my arm, his assessing eyes scanning me. “Should I call the nurse?”
“No. I just moved wrong and pulled at my groin, but don’t worry about me. I’m good. You can go,” I insist, pushing his hand away.
Luke ignoring my protest, sits down next to me on the bed and grabs my hand. “I can’t. You’re under my skin, Max. I know what I did was the coward’s way, but I’m here. I missed you so much and I want to make it right.”
“What? By bringing me flowers?” I try to pull away, but Luke is steadfast, gripping my hand tighter. I don’t want to look into his fathomless gaze because his eyes will swallow me whole and I’ll be lost forever in him.
“Look at me, sweetheart.” Luke tips my chin up, our eyes deadbolted together. His thumb grazes over my lips, then he leans in and kisses me before I can protest.
Warmth shoots through me; there’s no chance in hell I want to lose his touch. I missed him—his taste. These past three weeks were hell without Luke.
Opening up for him, Luke deepens the kiss before he slowly pulls away. A slight groan falls from my lips. I feel empty without his touch.
“I missed you so much, Max. Will you forgive me?” His words hit me like an avalanche. I’m buried in emotions—from elation, for having Luke by my side, sadness, for the loss he and his family is going through, and slightly peeved because he waited this whole time to come talk to me.
However, the real question is, can I forgive him? The man before me isn’t the one I met almost a month ago, but a shadow of him. I know we need to talk more about what’s happening in my life, and about his mother. Though, right now, I’ll take the happiness to have Luke by my side.
“What flowers did you bring me?” I can’t hide the small smile growing on my face. The frown across Luke’s lifts and there’s a twinkle in his beautiful dark chocolate eyes.
“Well, you know me with flowers. Each has a meaning,” he says with turned-up lips, then points to the vase full of pink and purple flowers. “These are geraniums and hyacinths.”
“What do they mean?” I ask, touching the small delicate petals.
“Geraniums means true friendship and the hyacinth means forgiveness, which I hope you do see me as a friend and forgive me for leaving you.”
I reach out and touch his face. “Thank you. But seriously? Six bouquets are a bit much.”
“Not for you.” Luke leans in. Our foreheads touch but our eyes stay locked. “I can’t completely promise you tomorrow, but I can promise you a day at a time.”
I capture his mouth with all I have in me and breathe him in. Then I let him go before I say, “Why don’t we start with four days.”
The End