Page 87 of Death, Interrupted

“Talk to me,” I said quietly, resting my forehead against hers. “What’s on your mind, baby?”

She closed her eyes and swallowed. “During all of this,” she said quietly, “since the day we’ve met…I never asked how you’ve been.”

That caught me off guard.

Just when I thought she couldn’t get any more perfect, she said something like that.

“I adore you.” I couldn’t help a chuckle. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I do,” she shot back. “You’ve been through a lot too, Sly. You’ve been going to therapy. I just…I never asked if it’s been helping.”

Therapy helped me, until Sumner and I met. After that I stopped going.

I leaned back a little to look at her, keeping one hand on her face, and dropping the other to her thigh. “I haven’t gone to therapy since we met.”

“Why?”

“Because it turned out you did more for me than an appointment ever did.”

Her brows furrowed, and I knew it sounded cocky but it was the truth.

She looked into my eyes again and took a deep,shaky breath. “But how? I’ve caused you a lot of worry.”

“You haven’t. Don’t ever think that.” I caressed the side of her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “What you’ve done is shown me that I’m capable of loving someone, which I never thought I could. And you know what’s even sweeter than that?” I asked, smirking.

She sniffled. “What?”

“I’m getting that same love in return by a woman that couldn’t be any smarter, stronger, and funnier.”

If she wouldn’t still have that bandage, I knew she’d be scrunching her nose by now. “I’m not funny.”

“Ah, you’re right. I’m the funny one in the relationship.”

That got a laugh out of her, and my heart squeezed in the best way possible.

Her laughter faded into a small smile, and she leaned more into my hand, relaxing under my touch.

“I mean it,” I said quietly. “You make life easier.”

Even if she still didn’t believe me, I could see it sinking in.

“Then I guess we’re both healing each other,” she whispered.

“Yeah.” I smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “We are.”

Epilogue

Sumner

eight months later

Life had become much calmer over the past months, and I had just reached five months without a panic attack. It was all Sly’s doing. He never pushed me to “move on,” and whenever I needed him to, he sat and listened.

He was still so careful around me, always aware of what might set me off or could upset me, but I knew that was simply who he was. He cared for me in ways big and small, and I loved him for it.

A few weeks ago, we found a small housein a town a few hours away. It was located somewhere quiet and close to nature, and when we saw it for the first time, we knew we had to have it. It was just what we needed, and after only a day of thinking it all through, we decided to sign the lease. We’d move in two months, and I had already packed up more than half of my apartment because of how excited I was.

The thought of leaving this place felt strange, but I knew it was for the best. It was time to leave it all behind. I was ready to start somewhere new with Sly, and with a life that finally felt safe.