Running Into Love - The Complete Box Set

by Annalisa Nicole

  “Asher, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you about that; I don’t even know where her doctor is. She had chemo treatments next door, but her doctor’s office is somewhere else.”

  “She didn’t eat lunch and it’s getting late. I don’t think she has any food in her house.”

  “Her purse is here, why don’t you order her some food and have her purse and dinner delivered. And, Asher, take my advice and give her some space to think. I know that’s going to be hard. Hopefully, she’ll talk to me and I can explain for you. Even if she doesn’t want to see you, I’ll see if she’ll let me go with her to her appointment tomorrow morning.”

  “Thank you. I’ll drop off her purse and order her some dinner from her favorite Chinese restaurant. If you talk to her, can you let me know right away.”

  Getting a hug and a nod from my sister, I make my way to the Chinese restaurant with instructions on exactly what to do. Heading home, I feel like an even bigger ass when I realize Lucy is at my house. She doesn’t have her dog there to make her feel better. After a quick walk and putting some food down, I can’t just sit here. I head to my parents’ house.

  With my head hung, I knock on the door. Mom answers, she doesn’t even ask what the problem is. She wraps me in a tight hug, brings me into the house, pours me a glass of milk, and tells me to spill. I tell her the whole story. She said the same thing as Amelia. I give her Willow’s cell phone number and make her promise that she’ll try to talk to Willow too.

  At home, I crawl into bed with Lucy curled into the crook of my stomach. Today did not turn out as I had hoped.

  Chapter 19

  Willow

  Still sleeping on the couch, I drift into a dream. I’m sitting on a beach, the warm sand between my toes, the loud thunder of waves and the smell of the salty air whips through my hair. A dark shadow shields the sun in front of me and I turn my head to look at what it is. A beautiful blonde, with long curly hair is standing in front of me with yellow roses in her hand. I stand and turn to face her.

  “You’re Olivia?”

  “Yes, I am. Willow, it’s nice to finally meet you,” she says.

  “What? How are you here?” I ask confused.

  “I’ve come to Ash in his dreams for a while now. He was so heartbroken after I died. I knew he would never be able to move on, on his own. I encouraged him to open his heart to you. I know you’re his soul mate. He’s such a wonderful man, Willow. I know you think he hurt you, but that’s not how it happened.”

  She takes my hand and continues, “Willow, he only contacted your mom to try and protect you. He wanted to know ahead of time if she was willing to talk to you. If she wasn’t open to talking to you, I know he would have done everything he could have to keep you from that pain.”

  I start to sob; I had no idea he was only doing it to make sure I didn’t get hurt. I never stopped to think about why he did it.

  “Oh Olivia, I’ve made a huge mistake.”

  “Willow, talk to Ash, I know he’s worried about you. It was all a big misunderstanding. I’ve already said my goodbyes to him. I can’t come to him anymore. I know you love him, he’s a good, honest, loyal, and loving man. He wants to talk to you. Go to him, let him explain.”

  “Olivia, thank you. I want you to know he talks about you all the time. I can feel the love that he has for you. You were his soul mate too, and you were the love of his life.”

  “Sometimes, God allows us to have two soul mates in our lifetime. I’m glad that he’s found you. Willow, he loves you, go to him. Forgive him. He was only doing what he thought was best for you.”

  “I will.”

  She places a yellow rose in my hand, then I wake up in the dark of my family room. I look down at my hand; I’m holding one single yellow rose. I frantically grab my purse, jump in my car, and speed to Asher’s house. I bang on the front door, yelling for him to let me in. I can hear Lucy barking on the other side of the door. The porch light flips on; the front door is thrown open, and Asher is standing in the doorway in only his boxer briefs.

  I barge through the front door, pushing him to the side, and say, “I need to see a picture of Olivia.”

  “Willow, what are you talking about?” he says, running after me concerned.

  I toss books to the floor from the shelves, rummaging through Asher’s belongings. I go room by room, leaving his belongings strewn all over the floor.

  “I need to see a picture of Olivia.”

  “Willow, why? What’s going on? Please sit down. I need to talk to you. I need to explain what happened today.”

  “Asher, just please, I need to see a picture of Olivia,” I insist.

  “OK, I have one in my nightstand in my bedroom.”

  I run up the stairs and pull the drawer clean out of the nightstand and dump the contents on the bed. I find a 5x7 photo of a woman with long blonde curly hair holding yellow roses.

  “It was really her, it was really her. Oh my God, it was really her.”

  “Willow, what’s going on, what are you talking about? Please calm down, sweetheart, I need to tell you what happened.”

  “You don’t need to. She already did . . . Ash.”

  “What? Who did?” I can see the look on his face, because I’ve never called him Ash before.

  “Olivia did.”

  I open my hand and show him the yellow rose. He looks at my hand and then my face as tears stream down both of our faces.

  “You don’t have to explain, I know everything.”

  He crashes into me with a fierce hug, squeezing me so tight I almost can’t breathe. Pulling away slightly, he looks at my face, and says, “Willow, I never meant to hurt you. I was only trying to protect you.”

  “Asher, it’s OK, I understand now. I’m sorry for overreacting.”

  He takes the photo and the yellow rose out of my hand, then places them on the nightstand. With one swoop of his arm, the drawer and everything on the bed is knocked to the floor. Laying me down with a kiss filled with apology and love, he tells me with his mouth everything I already know. Spooning in our ‘nighttime position,’ he holds me tight. Lucy jumps on the bed and curls up at my feet with a sigh. Yes, I’m home and it feels wonderful.

  Asher

  Waking the next morning, immediately my thoughts go to Willow running out and our fight. Panic sets in for just a moment. Then I feel the familiar warmth of her body pressed against my side and I relax. Her arm is thrown over my chest, our legs a tangle of limbs. Then I remembered last night when she came rushing into my house demanding to see a photo of Olivia.

  Glancing over to the nightstand, the photo, and one single yellow rose sits next to the lamp. I had hoped that I really saw Olivia in my dreams, but I knew it just wasn’t possible. This confirms that it was. Willow saw her too. Olivia talked to Willow and explained everything. Tears run down my temples onto the pillow, the love that I feel for Olivia hurts so badly. My heart is being torn out of my chest all over again. But Olivia is right, there’s plenty of room in there because the love I have for Willow is there too.

  Willow stirs in my arms. I place a soft kiss on her hair, and say, “Good morning, sweetheart.”

  She looks into my eyes, reaches her hand to the side of my face and wipes away the tears.

  “Asher, what’s wrong?” she asks.

  Eyeing the rose, I explain, “I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have found the love of my life. I love Olivia, she’ll always hold a special place in my heart, and I love you. Please don’t ever shut me out again. I was so worried about you. I was devastated to even think that I hurt you. When Olivia died, I never thought I would love again. She told me to open my heart, that there was enough room in there to love again, but I didn’t think that was possible. When I let go of the anger and sadness, she was right. I love you so much, Willow.”

  “There’s plenty of room for the both of us and I would never want you to ever forget about Olivia. In a way, she has a special place in my own heart, too. I owe her
so much for sharing with me what she did.”

  “We should probably get going. You have a big day this morning,” I say, swatting her playfully on the ass.

  I kiss her, then get up to take a shower. Standing under the hot water, I let the past few weeks wash over me. Willow steps in behind me and wraps me in a tight, warm embrace. She rains feather light kisses all over my back. I turn to face her and fist my hands in her hair. We kiss slowly while I run my hands up and down her back. I lift her leg over my hip and press her up against the tile wall. Kissing down her throat, between her breasts, then down her stomach, she places her hands on my shoulders and moans softly, then she lifts one leg over my shoulder. I love Willow with my mouth until she shudders and whispers my name with her release. I kiss my way back up the center of her body until, I reach her lips. I slowly enter her and making love to her, sweetly pouring every bit of love I feel for her into the moment. Finding my own release moments later, we stand there holding each other, showered in the warm water and our love for each other.

  After dressing, I leave Willow to finish getting ready. I head downstairs to make breakfast. First, I take Lucy for a quick walk, then I feed her. I shake my head as I look around at the mess all over the floors in every room from Willow ransacking the place, looking for a photo of Olivia.

  My housekeeper is going to wonder if I’ve finally lost it. Just as I finish making egg white omelets with spinach and onions, Willow sits at the bar wearing a pink cashmere sweater and faded blue jeans.

  “I think your sisters picked up, on the whole, pink theme. That seems to be the only color of clothing in the bags.”

  “They aim to please. So, are you nervous about today?”

  “I am. Although, not as much as I was last night. I was really scared to go there by myself. I’ve grown so attached to you being by my side. I was dreading having to go alone.”

  “I hope you know it was killing me thinking about not being there for you. I asked Amelia to try to find out where your appointment was, so she could go with you if you were still upset with me.”

  “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everything you did last night. From dinner, to even having your mom text me. Speaking of, we should probably let everyone know that everything is OK now. I hate to think that everyone is still worried about us.”

  “I texted my mom and Amelia already this morning while you were getting ready. They both send their love and are thinking positive thoughts for you.”

  “That’s sweet; I’ll have to text them later myself.”

  “I think it’s time to get going, we don’t want to be late.”

  God, please be with Willow today, please let her be cancer free. I love her so much. She’s already been through more than most people her age and I don’t know if I can handle losing someone else that I hold so close to my heart. Thank you for the many blessings in my life and for allowing me to feel true love again. I know Olivia is with you, keep her safe, and tell her I love her. Please let Willow be completely healthy.

  “OK, I’m all ready. Oh wait, I forgot something upstairs, I’ll be right back.”

  Chapter 20

  Willow

  Rushing back upstairs, I grab the yellow rose. Placing it under my nose, I smell the sweet fragrance. I place it in my purse, needing a little piece of heaven with me today at my appointment.

  “OK, all set. Let’s do this thing.”

  Looping my arm through his, we make our way to Simon and the waiting car. Getting in the back, there’s a bouquet of pink roses sitting on the seat.

  “Someone’s been busy this morning.”

  With a half grin on his face, I kiss him on the lips. I tell Simon where to go, clutching the roses and my purse in my lap. I try to pull courage from the rose inside. The drive seems to take forever, but at the same time I feel like I just need a little bit more time. This is the result of everything I’ve been through, the lumpectomy and the six chemo treatments. Today, I’ll either be cancer free, or I’ll be crushed with bad news.

  I just don’t know if I can recover from bad news. Asher’s been my rock through this. I couldn’t ask him to carry me through more. He deserves to be happy and carefree, not worried all the time about how I feel. I don’t know if I can do that to him. He has so much love to offer, he deserves to give it to someone who is whole and healthy.

  Pulling up outside the medical office, Asher takes my hand. We walk in the building, he squeezes my hand tight and doesn’t let go. Sitting in the waiting room with loud silence ringing in my ears, I don’t hear my name being called. Asher brings my hand to his lips, kisses my knuckles and offers a sweet smile.

  We make our way to the doctor’s office and sit holding hands, opposite an empty chair behind the desk. Still clutching my purse in one hand and Asher’s in the other, the door finally opens and the doctor walks in.

  Funny how weeks ago I thought he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. Compared to Asher sitting next to me, the doc never had a chance. I nervously giggle. Asher squeezes my hand with a concerned look on his face. I smile and shake my head, telling him I’m alright. My doctor takes a seat behind the desk, opens the file, and reads the reports. This is it; this is the moment. I reach my free hand into my purse and feel for the rose. I squeeze Asher’s hand in one and the rose in the other.

  “Willow, we have all your test results back from your scans and your blood work,” he starts.

  I can hear the blood pounding in my ears, I’m so nervous. I close my eyes, and I brace for the worst.

  “Everything is clean. Congratulations, you’re cancer free,” he finishes.

  With a huge sigh of relief, I open my eyes and look at Asher, who has tears streaming down his face, only to realize so do I. Setting my purse on the desk, we stand and he hugs me, while we both silently cry.

  After a few minutes the doctor clears his throat, and says, “If you’re ready, Willow, we can go into the procedure room and I’ll remove your port.”

  I break away from the hug, wipe my eyes, and say, “That sounds like a fabulous idea.”

  “Your friend can wait in the waiting room. We’ll just be a few minutes,” he says.

  I look at the doctor surprised; I was hoping Asher could be there holding my hand.

  Seeing my reaction, the doctor says, “It’ll only be a few minutes, I promise you’ll be out in no time at all.”

  With a kiss and another hug, Asher walks back out to the waiting room. Grabbing my purse, the doctor and I walk into the procedure room. I sit on the examination table; a nurse instructs me to remove my clothes from the waist up and put on the familiar blue paper top, open in the front. Reaching in my purse, I take out the yellow rose and sit on the table waiting for the doctor to come back in.

  With a knock on the door, he and the nurse return. After explaining exactly what he’s going to do, I lay down holding the rose in both hands. The doctor eyes me like I’ve lost my mind, then shrugs, and gets to work.

  After only a few minutes, the port is out, and only a few stitches remain. With a small bandage, I head back out to the waiting room to Asher on his phone. I’m given an appointment for three months from now, for regular testing. Asher finishes up his phone call; then we head back out to Simon.

  “Are you alright?” he asks.

  With a huge smile and the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders, I say, “I’m more than fine. So should we head back to the office?”

  “No, I have something else in mind.”

  Asher

  While Willow’s having her port removed, I get on the phone and call my parents, and my brothers and sisters to tell them the good news. We all decide to meet at our parent’s house and surprise Willow with a congratulations party. I leave my mom and sisters to do all the planning; I have no doubt they’ll do a spectacular job.

  I ask Simon to make a quick stop at home first. I need to get a little special something I bought just a few days ago. It’s a little sooner than I expected, but it is the right time. I
know Willow, and I haven’t been together all that long, but I’m positive that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I didn’t tell my family what I plan on doing, so it’ll be as much of a surprise to her as it is to them.

  With a confused look on Willow’s face, I run in quickly and get the little pink velvet box from the safe. I jog back to the car and look at her face. I’m even more sure that this is the exact right time.

  “Where are we going?” she asks.

  “You’ll see,” I reply.

  “Always so full of surprises, aren’t you?”

  Pulling up in my parent’s driveway, Willow looks pleased to be here. I take her hand and we walk to the front door. My mother opens the door, and my whole family yells, “Congratulations!”

  “Congratulations, sweetheart,” I say and kiss her on the cheek. I can see the tears in her eyes threatening to spill down her face. “Don’t cry, this is a happy day.”

  “I’m not going to cry,” she says, waving her hands in her face.

  She desperately tries to get her emotions under control, then she looks around at my family and smiles. My sisters did a great job with such short notice. There are pink balloons hanging from the ceiling and a cake on the table with white frosting and a pink breast cancer ribbon in the center. Written on the top is, ‘Congratulations Willow.’

  Each person stands in line waiting to hug Willow. She gets to Amelia, and the tears spill down her cheek. Amelia whispers something in her ear and she laughs. Last to hug Willow is my mom.

  She wraps her arms around her, and says, “Oh my dear, we’re so happy for you.”

  “Thank you, everyone. I’m just so happy. I never thought my life would turn out to have a wonderful man by my side and his entire family as well. I feel so loved, my heart is truly bursting. Thank you.”

  Adrian eyes the cake, and says, “Let’s eat cake. We all got out of work early and I think we should dig into the cake.”