Read Online Don't Let Go by Nona Raines - Free Book Online Page A

time.” They both laughed.
    “And the rest is history,” Annalee said.
    “Yeah. And to think I almost missed out on the greatest guy on earth because I was stubborn and scared.” Dee opened her eyes and looked straight at Annalee. “Don’t make that mistake.”
    Annalee instinctively tried to pull her hand free. Dee held on tight. “Eric cares about you, Anna.”
    Heat crawled up her neck to bloom in her face. “It’s not the same thing.”
    “Look, all I know is when Eric came back from your place that night, he headed back to Albany like someone set fire to his ass. He won’t tell me what happened, and I can’t even get you, my best friend, to spill.”
    “We shouldn’t be talking about this. You need your rest.”
    “I’m resting,” Dee shot back. “I’m attached to so many machines I can barely frickin’ move. Listen, whatever happened, you and my brother need to work it out. The two of you can have something good. You’ve got to fight for it. You think Thom and I haven’t had our problems?”
    “Eric and I are not you and Thom. It’s different.”
    Dee moved restlessly. “Like hell it’s different. Come on, Annalee, this is me you’re talking to.”
    Annalee panicked when the numbers on the monitor shot up in response to her friend’s urgency. “Okay, I’m listening. I’m listening.”
    “You promise?”
    “Yes! Yes, I promise. Just please, calm down.”
    “All right.” Dee settled back on the pillow. “’Cause I’m going to tell you something I’ve never even told Thom. I was afraid of being with him, but not just for the reason he thought. I was really afraid I wasn’t good enough for him.”
    “Are you serious? I always thought you were fearless. I wanted to be more like you.”
    “Fearless? I was full of it. I made so many stupid mistakes before I married Thom. Spent too much time with guys who treated me like crap.” She nodded to the pile of tissues on the side table. “I felt like one of those tissues, used up and tossed aside. No good for anything or anyone. There was nothing left inside, nothing to give to any man. Especially a good man like Thom.”
    Annalee consoled Dee and rubbed her arm. “Oh, honey.”
    “Don’t you get it? I’m telling you I know how you feel . You’ve been toughing it out, pretending you’re past the divorce and all the garbage Dickweed put you through. But I know you. I know it’s an act.”
    Annalee suddenly recalled what Dee had said during the reunion, when they were alone in the Ladies’ Lounge. “You’re smiling like you really mean it. Not like someone who has to prove how well she’s doing.”
    She hadn’t fooled Dee at all. Maybe she hadn’t fooled anyone. Except herself. “You never said anything.”
    “When did I have a chance? You were always so busy being brave.”
    “I’m not brave.” She let out a long breath. “I messed up with Eric. Big time.”
    “Honey, you didn’t mess up. You’re scared,” Dee said. “The one man you should have been able to trust, your husband, kicked your heart around like a football. I get it. But don’t be scared, Anna. You’re not damaged goods.You’re full of love. Don’t be scared to love.”Dee’s eyelids fluttered. “Whoa. Whatever they’re giving me is kicking in. Is Thom back yet? I need my husband in here. I want to tell him how much I love him.”
    “I’ll get him.” Annalee slipped her hand from Dee’s lax hold.
    She found Thom coming down the hall. Eric, who must have just arrived, was by his side. Annalee’s mouth went dry at the sight of him. Her heart sped up. “She wants you, Thom.”
    “Go on,” Eric told him. “I’ll say hello in a minute.”
    Thom hurried to Dee’s room, ginger ale in hand. Eric’s forehead creased with worry. “Is she all right?”
    “Yes. She’s just getting drowsy.”
    A few moments later, Thom stepped from the doorway of Dee’s room and motioned Eric in.
    Annalee hovered in the hallway, dodging bustling nurses and