Christmas Therapy

Heather peeked to see her father shake hands with Allen. Both men smiled, but then Allen’s eyes turned serious. Then he stared at her and she froze. With a pat on the back from her father, he walked over to her.

She swallowed, rehearsing her speech in her head. She never wanted to see him again. It was best. She loved him, but she was okay with him not loving her back. That was a lie. She rolled her eyes. Allen then pulled up a chair and sat next to her.

“Looks like the Christmas fair’s a hit,” he said.

“It always is.” She gazed forward, avoiding eye contact.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine. My leg’s not propped in a chair.”

“Therapy going well still?” he asked.

She missed their therapy sessions together. How he would encourage her and how she would tease him when he was pushing her too hard. He was sweet to her dog and pulled the town together to decorate her house for Christmas. She opened up to him. He made her feel special on their date, taking her to try new things even though it wasn’t normal for him.

Heather exhaled. She needed to focus on something else. Not on her love for the man.

“Heather?”

She could put on a brave face. She turned to face him. “It’s fine. I’m getting stronger every day. Dr. Boyer says I’m making progress.”

r /> He nodded, his eye contact firm and intense. Then he looked at the Twinkle Tunnel. Though it was a big hit with the kids for pictures, it was empty because of the live band that played instead of the stereo music. The kids danced on the floor along with the couples.

Allen extended his hand to hers. “Come with me?”

She shouldn’t. It wasn’t right. The man was still married whether or not she loved him. Until he settled his past, he had no future with her. Against her better judgement, Heather scooted her chair back, not taking his hand. He followed her to the Twinkle Tunnel and joined her to sit on the bench inside.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Why are you here?”

“You,” he said.

Her head jerked to stare at him. Was he kidding? “Allen, you’re still married.”

“I apologize for that. It surprised me just like you.”

“Doesn’t she want you back?” Heather couldn't break up a marriage. All she wanted was to express her feelings. Even if things didn't turn out the way she hoped, at least she was honest.

“No,” he said.

Heather ran her fingers through her hair. “Allen, I can’t do this. I’m sure what you feel for me is real, but I…” Wait a minute. What did he say? “She didn't want you back?”

“She's engaged. When she filed before, a severe storm came through the city. A lot of documents were destroyed and never processed, and by the time she found out, she'd moved on with someone else. She came to tell me in person. It’ll be final this time.”

“It's over?” Heather asked.

He inched closer, and she lost sense of time and the speech inside her head. He brushed his lips against hers, only to end the kiss too soon. “I love you, Heather Shaw. I took Crystal to the airport, and her fiancé will pick her up. We said our last goodbye.”

He meant it. She felt it in her bones. Her bottom lip trembled as he cupped her face.

“I haven’t lost you, have I?” he asked. “I heard your voicemail. I’ll do whatever takes, Heather. You’re the woman I want.”

Her heart clenched inside her chest. She clung to his wrists as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her vision blurred once again. Crying was becoming too common for her.

“You want me?” she asked.

He blinked as if taken aback by her question. “You don’t trust me?”

“Even if Crystal wasn’t in the picture, I told you I’m not good at this. What if we don’t work? What if you tire of me? We’re complete opposites, Allen.”