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(Two weeks later)

“Kevin, what are doing here? You look like death,” Tracy said.  He brushed past her and stepped into the foyer.

Her brows furrowed.  ”Sure, come right in. In case you didn’t notice the time, Ashley is already in bed.”

“I’m not here to see Ashley.”

“If you’re here to talk about Dawn, save it.”

He came to talk and wasn’t leaving until he finished. “What did you say to her?”

“I didn’t say anything. Why?”

“You must have said or done something. It’s not like Dawn to disappear without anyone knowing where she’s at. She hasn’t been to work in almost two weeks. I can’t reach her by phone or at her home.” He jammed his hands in his pockets. “It’s driving me crazy.”

Tracy crossed her arms. “I have nothing to do with you and your lover’s problems.  Leave me out of it.”

“You’re so selfish. How could I have ever…”

“Hold it right there, mister holier-than-thou. Of all the women in the world, you chose to screw around with my best friend, the woman who I love like a sister. Yet, you call me selfish?”

Pressure mounted at his temples as he fought to stay calm. “Yes Tracy, selfish.  Dawn walked away from our love because she was more concerned about you and Ashley than she was about her own heart. That alone should tell you how much she cares.  What have you given her in return?  Have you given her compassion or even an ounce of understanding?”

Tracy’s lips trembled.  ”How dare you come here and turn this on me just because it suits your perverted ideas?  I would have never put my friend in this position.  You both crossed a line that should have never been crossed.  I don’t want to have feelings for you, Kevin, but I still do. It’s going to take time to erase seven years…” Her voice broke before she could continue.

Anger seeped from Kevin’s body.  He still cared about Tracy as a friend and didn’t want to see her hurt.  ”Then you of all people should understand.  Dawn and I didn’t choose to fall in love, it chose us.  If it was my choice, I would have chosen a less complicated situation.”  He paused before continuing.  “You will always be special to me, and I’m proud to have you as the mother of my daughter, but we must move on.  Dawn makes me happy, and I want the same for you.  Even if we don’t agree on this, let’s try to live peacefully.”

Tracy lowered her eyes. “One day I’m sure I’ll fall in love again. However, I would never hurt others in the process.”

Kevin took two strides to the door and pulled it open. “Never say never.” He rushed into the night.

*****

Dawn stroked her eyelids with silver eye-shadow.  The shimmering color brought out the softness of her brown eyes.  Satisfied with the perfect application of her makeup, she turned sideways in the mirror to inspect the fitted gray dress that swayed gently above her knees.  She had splurged at a local boutique, and it was well worth it.  After slipping her feet into a pair of strappy silver heels, she walked through the arched doorway.

The cool evening breeze greeted her as she strolled to her SUV.  It took a moment for her to notice the white envelope tucked under the left wiper blade.  She removed it and opened the envelope with trembling fingers. Inside, she found a card.

Dawn, I couldn’t decide whether to leave this or knock on your door.  I guess I took the easy way out.  I wanted to say I’m sorry for not being the friend I promised to always be.  If roles were reversed I know you would have handled things differently.  It won’t be easy, but if you would allow me to be a part of your life, I’ll be more open to understanding. Besides, we don’t choose love, it chooses us.  Love, Tracy.

Smiling, she held the card to her chest.

“Dawn,” a familiar voice called out.

Dawn spun toward the sound. She stood face-to-face with Tracy. “Tracy, I was just reading your card.”

“I know it didn’t say much, but I meant every word.”

“It said more than you know.  I’m sorry for hurting you and putting you through this.”

“I’m sorry for only thinking of myself and acting the way I did. Our friendship means too much to allow anyone to come between us, even Kevin.  I’ve accepted the fact that he loves you.  I must move on.”

“Your reaction was understandable. I don’t hold that against you.  I need you in my life.”  She sighed.  ”I’m afraid I may have lost Kevin.  I’m going to see him now.”

“The love I saw in his eyes when he talked about you told me all I needed to know.”

Dawn’s heart constricted with hope.  ”He talked to you about me?”

Tracy smiled. “Yes, but we’ve got all the time in the world to discuss that. Go get your man. You look hot.”

Dawn reached out and hugged her. “I love you, Tracy.”

“I love you too, Dawn.  I missed you so much.  Now, get going.”

*****

Dawn stood in the doorway of Kevin’s office, watching as he gave something on his desk his undivided attention.  He was a sight to behold. His broad shoulders filled the starched white shirt.  She couldn’t stand being apart from him another moment much less a lifetime.

“Hi,” she said.

Kevin looked up, shock registering on his face.  His gaze left a sizzling trail as it moved over her curves and down to her softly painted toes.  He began stacking papers on his desk. “What can I do for you, Dawn?”

Her heels clicked against the bamboo floors as she crossed the room to stand next to his desk. The hardness in his eyes took her aback.  She swallowed the lump in her throat.  ”Kevin, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not sure what you want me to say.”

“I just want you to hear me out.”

He folded his hands on his desk.  ”Okay, go ahead.”

“I thought that disappearing and not seeing you would change the way I feel about you.  Instead, it proved I how much I need you in my life.  I know I hurt you by throwing our love aside, and if you give me a chance, I promise I’ll never let anyone or anything come between us again.”

Kevin stood and shoved his chair back.  ”For a month I’ve been to hell and back, worrying about you, unable to sleep, eat or think.  And now you waltz in here out of the blue and ask me to give you another chance.  Well, I’m not a light switch that you can turn on and off when you’re ready. You hurt me. I thought a couple of weeks ago we could get through this, but I was wrong.”

Dawn touched his arm. “I know how much I hurt you, and I want to spend the rest our lives making it up to you.”

He snatched his arm out of her grasp. “I have somewhere to be within an hour, so I really need to finish up here.”

She wanted to beg but the words wouldn’t come.  His rejection stung.  The finality of his words seized any hope of happiness. She tore out his office and up the hall to the elevators. “Come on, hurry.” She pressed the button repeatedly, hoping it would summon the elevator to move quicker.

Finally, the doors swooshed opened. Thankful to be cut off from the world, she sagged against the interior wood panels. The sharp pains ripping through her heart moved upward and hot tears gushed from her eyes. Only Kevin could ease the pain.  She had never wanted anything or anyone the way she wanted him.

As soon as the doors parted, Dawn stormed out of the elevator and headed toward the exit.  The stairwell door to her right swung open.  Shock rendered her motionless when Kevin walked into the lobby.  His gaze held hers, causing her heart to skitter. Could she believe, even for a moment, that he was there to see her?

He strode in her direction. The intensity in his eyes made it impossible to guess his mood.  Dawn took a shaky breath when his steps slowed, and he walked to where she stood.  Neither spoke.  The only sound was his winded breathing from the flight of stairs.  Dawn’s knees threatened to buckle from the love she felt flowing between them.

In one swift move, Kevin drew her close to his thumping heart. He wove his fingers through her hair. “I don’t think I can survive losing you a second time.”

Melting in his arms, Dawn held him tight. The warmth of his breath against her ear sent shivers down her spine.

“Don’t ever put me through that again,” he commanded in a hoarse voice.

She held his face in her hands and lifted her lips toward his.  ”Never.”

His mouth covered hers. Their kiss held promises of a lifetime.

The End

Learn more about Cassandra Roberts-Jones at her SHOWCASE PAGE.