Page 101 of After We Fall

“I can respect that, Penelope, but a conversation might do you some good. Put it out in the open instead of you carrying that burden in your head. It’s clear Meredith and Harlan love you. What have you got to lose?”

I don’t care for this topic. “Did you get ahold of Robert to wish him a Merry Christmas?”

“You changing the subject?”

I’m usually more evasive, but on this medication I’m not as sharp. Better to admit defeat and move on. “Yes, I’m changing the topic.”

“I’ll give you that play if you agree to think about talking to Meredith.”

I nod.

“I talked to Robert about an hour ago. It was a short conversation.”

“You sound concerned.”

“He wasn’t feeling good. Again. Postponed our trip. Again.” Luke shakes his head. “I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s better at avoiding a topic than you are, and I didn’t get any answers out of him.”

“You’re worried.”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe you should go see him.”

“You trying to get rid of me?”

“No. But I’m worried.” I smooth down the chest pocket of his shirt. “I don’t want to tie you to Colorado Springs, Luke—be a burden. You like to travel. You need to get out and go somewhere. Even if Robert doesn’t go with you.”

He pulls back and studies my face. “You’ve really been thinking about this.”

“Just because we’re together doesn’t mean you have to give up a huge part of who you are. And maybe someday, when I’m doing better, you can, I don’t know, show me the world. Show me your world.”

Luke pulls me in and kisses me on the temple. Leaving his lips there, he says, “Thank you.”

I think the kiss was meant to be sweet, but something warm fills the space between us. Something promising more kisses to come.

“You talk to your non-family family?” he asks.

I smile at his nickname for the Nelsons. “Yeah.”

“How’d that go?”

“The senator and his wife gave standard-issue well-wishes. But Jason’s still mad at me for not traveling to California for the holiday. I told him I’d see them next week at the New Year’s party.”

“How’d he respond?”

“He sounded hurt. Just like every time we’ve talked since I didn’t call him after the accident.” The medicine dulls my headache but also causes my words to slow. “Dr. Ridding said my treatments are going well, and I can go to the party for a little while if I’m feeling up to it. So that’s a good thing.”

After finishing treatment number twenty-two, I took today off for Christmas Eve. Secretly, I was disappointed to have to take a day off. Maybe it wasn’t so secret since Dr. Ridding openly laughed at my reaction after he told me he doesn’t work on Christmas Eve.

Luke shifts me to the side, stands, and offers his hand.

I look up at him in question.

“Come on. You’ve got to get some rest. I think the medicine’s done its job. Your words are slowing like a drunk teenager who’s concentrating a little too hard to make complete sentences.”

I take his hand and push off the glider to stand. “Well, I never had a rebellious phase. Maybe this is it.”

He flashes a smile at me and leads the way.