Page 6 of My Sweetest Agony

Something.

Anything that might help.

My body vibrates as I unlock the deadbolt and turn the handle, like it can feel the energy of what’s waiting outside. For the briefest split second, I hesitate before tugging the door open.

Storms like this can be dangerous. But the potential threat waiting for me doesn’t stop me from pulling the door toward me. It can’t overpower the need to seek any way to temper the agony.

I stare out at the unlit porch, under the burned-out bulb Drew never got around to replacing.

Someone stands at the edge of the poured concrete slab in the rain.

Back to me.

About to step off and onto the path that leads down to the sidewalk.

Leaving without ever knocking or ringing the bell.

A tall man.

All I can make out is broad shoulders covered with a black leather jacket.

Thick, dark hair, soaked from the rain that still pours down.

The sound of the door opening makes him freeze.

Slowly, the man turns toward me.

Lightning flashes, illuminating his face, and my breath catches.

Goosebumps break out across my skin, and my body trembles as inky darkness encroaches around the edges of my vision, blurring out the face I never thought I’d see again. “Drew?”

2

CAM

Fuck.

3

IVY

The scent of fresh summer rain, wet leather, and something clean and citrusy like lemon soap invades my breath, and I inhale it deeply, tugging the fluffy blanket tighter around me to stay in the perfect dream I’ve been floating in so magically.

One where Drew is here.

Where I can see his face again…

A warm, gentle hand cups my cheek, turning my face to the side. Calloused fingers brush across my temple. “Ivy?”

“Hmm?”

I lean into the touch, the familiar warmth and comfort of it enough to make a little sigh slip from my lips. The same electric buzz that always comes from his soft caress makes me want to luxuriate in it forever.

Drew always knows what I need…

“Ivy?” His voice sounds rough tonight. Off. A little unsteady. Like he’s upset about something. Maybe a bad night in the ER. “Can you open your eyes?”

Were they closed?