One More Chance Excerpt

 I mentally chided myself for not remembering to freshen up. I reminded myself that I was only going over to meet him to let him know that I was supposedly fine.

 As I arrived, I saw that he was already waiting for me on his front porch. The sight of him made me want to sob when I saw how much concern he had for me.

Clenching my teeth, I willed myself to get out of the car and face him.

 As I went up the porch, I felt my will starting to weaken.

Some tears were starting to well up against my will; I blinked them back and faced him.

 His undivided attention towards me made it impossible to look him in the eye, “Hey, are you okay?”

 I nodded, “I’m fine.” My voice slightly trembled, and I hoped that he hadn’t noticed.

“Come inside.” With his hand he pointed towards the door.

 I shook my head, “You wondered if I was okay, and I said I am.”

 Hold it together. I reminded myself, this man, doesn’t care about how you feel or what you’re going through.

“Something’s wrong. Talk to me.”

 I swallowed and forced myself not to look at him.

When he took my hand in his and lowered his face so that our eyes met, I couldn’t take it anymore; I turned my back on him as a few tears ran down my face.

“Aveline?” I could hear his worry from behind me.

He came to stand next to me, and when he saw my tears he said, “Aveline, what’s wrong? Talk to me. Please.”

 He put his arm around me, and I knew, knew that there was no way that I could stop myself from having feelings for this man even if he didn’t have feelings for me.

I gave in to the need of being comforted.

 I crumpled against him, his arms automatically curved around my shoulders, sheltering me from the storm of my emotions. Sobs built in my chest and tears slowly leaked out of my eyes. I shook my head against his chest.

“It’s okay to cry.” He whispered in my ear.

 Somehow those words forced the release of my pain.