You, Me, and the Colors of Life by Noa C. Walker

Author:Noa C. Walker [Walker, Noa C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Published: 2016-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

September 14

Janica went to the hospital, the wide corridors and anonymous rooms reminding her of those months fifteen years back when she’d been a constant visitor. After her appointment, she pushed open the heavy door to the oncology wing and scurried out. At the top of the stairwell, she heard hurried footsteps coming up and paused to avoid a collision. Suddenly, Thomas stood in front of her.

His hair was a little longer, somehow dashing and wild, and his three-day stubble was undeniably sexy. He froze. His eyes scanned her white jeans and gray shirt before coming to rest on her face. Small furrows formed on his brow, as if he was wondering where her colors had gone.

“Hey,” he said in a husky voice, looking at her as if she’d just accused him of every crime under the sun.

“Hey,” she replied, fighting the urge to throw herself into his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“One of my colleagues from school had to have surgery. What about you? Visiting one of your protégées?”

“They’re in pediatrics. This floor is adult oncology.”

“Oh, yes—”

“I just had an appointment—” Her pulse was throbbing in her temples. She felt weak and confused. But she knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath, straightened up, and lifted her hand. Slowly, she pulled down her wig.

The lines on Thomas’s brow grew deeper. “Janica,” he said in a strained voice. The pain in his eyes gave way to a new, different one. “That’s why you pushed me away!”

Thomas clearly didn’t need any explanations. He didn’t even need an apology. He accepted her choice, even though he was hurt that she’d thought him weak or superficial. Janica’s love for him overflowed, burst the box where she’d locked away her feelings.

Thomas closed the gap between them and took her in his arms tenderly, as if afraid of breaking her. That tenderness was precisely what Janica needed right now. It conveyed understanding, dedication, and strength at the same time.

“I’m here for you, my silly girl,” he whispered.

Janica nodded into his shoulder and knew how right he was with his hidden reproach. She had shut him out when she needed him the most. She had deprived him of the opportunity to prove his love for her. He tightened his embrace and Janica was filled with a sense of security that almost made her sing with joy. How could she ever be thankful enough for this gift?

“It’s not fair. Just when I’ve found you,” she cried, her tears soaking his shirt.

“Janica, I don’t know—

“Six months, Thomas. That’s all we’ve got. Six months, maybe less.”

Thomas didn’t reply for a long time. Janica could feel him processing the news, how his insides rebelled, cramped, twisted, turned, protested. Then an electric shock seemed to go through him. He pushed her away gently and took her pale face between his strong hands.

“It’s going to be the best six months of our lives.”

“Thomas!”

Shocked, she looked into his dark eyes, unable to read what she saw in them.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.