“You think you’re the only one risking getting hurt here?”
“I don’t know. I have no idea if you have the same feelings that I do.”
“I’m the one who’s been pursuing you. I’m the one chasing you down and making new rules because I can’t stand the thought of being without you.”
“I’m making new rules, too.” I added. Not too long ago, I’d sworn that I’d never date anyone, let alone him.
“Then, stop acting like you’re alone in this. We’re in this together.” His tone was more than reassuring.
As I listened to him, my heart swelled, the shriveling organ matter it had become last night slowly refilling again.
“Is there anything else?” he asked.
“What do you mean, anything else?”
“Do you have any other concerns?”
“Aside from you annihilating my very being?” I tried to tease, but I wasn’t kidding.
“Yes, Elizabeth, aside from that.” He huffed out a laugh.
I chewed on a pen cap, wondering if I should say the first thing that popped into my head.
“What are you afraid of? Tell me, so I can prove you wrong.”
“I’m scared of you, of losing myself in you and forgetting who I am,” I admitted, feeling weaker than I’d ever felt. It was one thing to be a strong businesswoman in an industry filled with men, but it was something entirely different when my heart was on the line, and emotions were involved.
“I’ll never let that happen, and you won’t either.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re too strong of a person to lose everything you’ve worked for, and I’ll never let you. I won’t allow you to fall or lose focus. I want you to be great. I want you to be successful.”
His words made me feel like I was floating on air. I swore, if I looked down, I’d see my desk and lamps below me and the ceiling at my fingertips.
“Is this how real relationships are supposed to work?”
“I think so. What are your thoughts so far?”
“Healthy communication, reassurance, building each other up instead of tearing each other down?” I paused. “I like it.”
“I love it. I’ll see you tonight.”
“What?”
“You think I’m staying up here after our first fight? How will we have make-up sex if I’m five hundred miles away?”
“Oh my gosh. You really are presumptuous. Good-bye, Daniel.” I laughed before ending the call.
I was excited. Daniel hadn’t lied to me, he wasn’t dating anyone else, and I was getting laid tonight. Maybe. I only hoped Barbara wasn’t right about my hoo-ha being broken or out of business or any other strange thing she’d suggested was wrong with it because apparently I’d need it later. Was I really ready to take this step with him? I’d know for sure once I saw him later.
4.
DANIEL
Thank God Elizabeth had called me. I would have gone half mad if I had to go the whole day without talking to her. Getting through the night had been hell enough.
“James, get back in here!” I yelled, knowing he was most likely waiting right outside my door.