Page 40 of Follow Me

“I’ll walk you out.”

She laced fingers with him for the walk outside, and for a moment he could almost pretend all was right with his world. Once they were alone outside, though, she pulled him in for a hug and he was reminded once more how terrified he felt as he forced himself to hug her.

“Can you come over to the house in the morning?” she asked. “To talk?”

Fear trilled through him. “Of course.” His hands had settled on her ass, and he was once again painfully reminded of how much had changed. “What time?”

“I need to be at Doug’s office at eleven. Would eight be okay?”

He nodded. “Sure.” He managed to stop himself before asking if she wanted him to bring breakfast with him.

“It’s not bad, I promise,” she said.

“Okay.” He forced a smile for her. “I’m proud of you. They told me you’re maintaining your weight gains.”

Her smile faded. “I promise I’m trying.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“This time feels…different.”

He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I hope so.”

“Have you been talking to Doug?”

“I’ve already been chewed out for lapsing on my attendance.”

She gave him an adorable scowl but didn’t chastise him. “Love you,” she said.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.” He left her with a kiss on her forehead, because he’d about hit the upper limit of his ability to deal, emotionally, and he didn’t want to cry in front of her.

But as he drove back to the apartment, he wondered if he was strong enough to do this after all.

Maybethatwas the problem.

Maybe he’dalwaysbeen the problem.