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

various aides pushing carts. Eric came back and suggested they go sit in the waiting room. Once there, she turned to him.
    “Bet she was glad to see you.”
    “She was sleepy, like you said. Trying to stay brave, you know, for Thom’s sake. And he’s doing the same for her.”
    “She and the baby will be fine.” Annalee spoke emphatically, willing him to believe the words.
    He nodded, rubbing his hands together, staring off into nothing. “Yeah.”
    Her throat and chest ached with regret. If only she could put her arms around him, but she’d hurt him too badly to be of any comfort to him now. She remembered how angry he’d been when he accused her of obsessing over Denny. How defeated he’d looked as he left her.
    Though they shared a small sofa, the distance between them was miles wide, and Annalee didn’t know how to bridge it.
    Thom found them some time later. “I just talked to the doctor. The contractions have stopped. They’re keeping her tonight, but he says she’s doing well. The fluids are helping. I’m going to hang out here, keep her company. There’s no need for you two to stay.”
    Eric stood. “Do you want me to stop by your place, pick up some things for you?”
    Thom waved the offer away. “I’m fine. You go back to our place, get some rest. I promise to call if anything changes.” He gave Annalee a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks a lot for coming.”
    Wobbly with exhaustion and relief, she hugged him. Then, blinking back tears, she hugged Eric. He hesitated a moment, then threw his arms around her. As they broke the embrace, she saw his eyes were wet, too.
    He walked her to her car in the parking lot. It was full dark now. “I’ll follow you, make sure you get home safely.”
    She could have argued, but the truth was, she wanted to know he was with her a while longer. That she had a few more minutes before they said goodbye.
    The drive homegave her time to think.Now that Dee was out of danger, Annalee could consider her advice. Don’t be afraid to love.
    Yes, Dee knew her all right. But there was more to it than that.
    It was Eric who’d called her on it. Her anger. She hated Denny for what he’d put her through. But deep down, she hated herself even more. For letting it go on so long. Knowing, yet refusing to acknowledge, how he was cheating on her. Playing dumb. Playing the fool. What for? Because she wanted to live up to her vows? Or because she was afraid to start over?
    By focusing all her rage on Denny, she never had to ponder her own complicity.
    She glanced at her rearview mirror. Eric was there, right behind her, as he promised. He had her back. A man like Eric would always keep his promises, always be there for her.
    A man like Eric.
    God, Annalee. How stupid are you? How long are you going to hold on to the past?
    She wanted someone she could trust. Someone kind and decent, who kept his word. A man like Eric. What are you going to do, genius, pine away for a pale substitute when you can have the real thing?
    She pulled into her driveway while he rolled up to the curb to make sure she got inside safely. But when she got out of her car, instead of going to her door, she walked down the driveway and around the front of his car. She tapped on his driver’s side window. “Would you walk me to my door?”
    He was polite, but distant, his face unreadable. “Sure.”
    At her door, instead of reaching for her keys, she reached for him. She brushed her lips against his, exactly as she had done twelve years ago on her parents’ doorstep. And just as he had done back then, he slipped his arms around her, pulling her close.
    Their kiss deepened. She opened her mouth to his tongue and stroked his in return. As she drew back at last to catch her breath, her heel caught on a rough patch on the concrete stoop. The sky tilted and her arms spun as she toppled backward.
    There was no honeysuckle bush to soften her fall, but she didn’t land with a bone-crunching thud. Eric caught her around