“Believe what?” Jane asked.
“I’ve wanted to be with Grant since I was fifteen years old. And now? I’ve been with him twice, and he’s promising to come back and see me. It’s like a fairytale.”
“Then why do you look like you’re panicking?”
I felt my face fall as I looked down into my cup.
“What if he doesn’t come back?” I asked.
“He will, Theresa. He came back after all these years.”
“To see Hollis. Not me.”
“Don’t do this to yourself. You do it every time. Something good happens, and you find a way to doubt it. This is a good thing, Theresa. Where did new Theresa go?”
“But what if—?”
“No more what ifs. Embrace what’s going on in your life. Enjoy it. Ride it out. Even if this isn’t forever, has he given you any indication that he would lie about something like that?” she asked.
“No,” I said.
“Then don’t doubt him now. Grant isn’t Ike.”
I sighed as I nodded my head. I knew she was right. I was holding Grant to Ike’s standard, and he was so much better than that. I smiled at Jane, and she relaxed in her chair before her eyes fell to her watch.
“Shit. We’re late.”
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Almost two.”
“Shit. I’m very late,” I said.
“Come on. I’ll give you a lift back to work.”
“Thanks, I almost forgot I walked over here,” I said.
Jane took me back to my father’s office before her hand fell to my wrist. My eyes whipped over to her, and I knew she could see right through me. I reached over and hugged her, knowing I was in for a good scolding by my father when I got inside.
“If he said he’d be back, he’ll be back.”
“Thanks,” I said, whispering.
I got out of the car with my coffee in hand and waved her off, then I drew in a deep breath and started for my desk. There was a line of people waiting to be checked in, and I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
My father was going to be livid.
He
’d had always run a very tight ship when it had come to his office. He didn’t like his patients waiting any longer than was absolutely necessary and he rode his office staff hard about that. Even though he’d softened a bit since Mom’s passing, that was one thing that had never changed. My ass didn’t even hit the seat before I heard his voice around the corner.
“Theresa? A word?”
I looked up at the line of people waiting to check in, and I slid a clipboard their way. They could jot down their information, and I’d sign them in for their appointments as soon as I got back. I apologized with my eyes then headed to see my father. He was sitting with his back to me in his office chair.
“Come in and shut the door.”
His voice was filled with disappointment and my stomach flipped in on itself.