Take a Chance by Annalisa Nicole Page A

her hold on my body with a sigh.
    “Sure , sweetheart. Anything you need,” I say returning the squeeze.
    After she got ready for work, we head back to my house. I showered and dressed. Coming into the kitchen, I find that Willow has made breakfast and coffee, she has two place settings waiting at the bar.
    “You didn’t have to do all this.”
    “It’s no trouble at all. Go ahead, dig in while it’s still hot.”
    After breakfast, Simon drives us to work and I can’t help but think this is something I can quickly get used to.
    As per our usual routine, we walked to the elevator together, stopping at her floor with a kiss and a promise to meet me for lunch at noon. I head to my office picking up my messages from Charlotte on the way. There’s a message from Aiden, so I return his call first.
    “Hey big brother what’s up?”
    “I got a lead on Willow’s mom,” he says.
    “That fast? What did you find out?”
    “She still lives in Illinois. She’s married, and has a good credit score. That’s about all I can tell you. I have an address and a phone number for her. I put all the info together, and it should be sitting in a file on your desk. I gave it to Charlotte last night for you.”
    “Yep, I see it sitting right here. Thanks, Aiden. There wasn’t anything else we could find out about her?”
    “Nope, she doesn’t have a crimin al record so without hiring a private investigator, I can only find out what’s available on the internet and through a regular background check.”
    “Thanks for doing this , Aiden, I appreciate it.”
    Hanging up with Aiden , I look over the file. There isn’t much information to go on. At least I have an address and a phone number, if that’s what Willow is looking for. Glancing down, I see the two yellow roses. Taking a book from the shelf, I press the roses between the pages and place it back on the shelf.
    Lunch time rolls around and it’s such a nice break in my day to have Willow join me. We enjoy each other’s company and our deli lunch.
    “So how do you feel about Friday?”
    “I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous. Not for the actual treatment itself. I guess I’m more nervous for the testing after and the results. This may sound strange, but I almost want them to do more chemo. I just want to make sure it’s all gone and never coming back. Does that sound strange?”
    “Sweetheart, I don’t think it’s strange. I under stand that you are scared and I hope you know I will be with you every step of the way. I’m not going anywhere.”
    Wrapping her in a hug, I just hope I can someh ow ooze confidence into her. I’m scared for her as well. I want her to be one hundred percent healthy.
    Like the day before, we went back to her house and c ooked dinner together. We work so well together. Dinner and clean up done, we sat and watched TV for a little while. There was no second thought about staying the night again, it just came naturally. I still slept in my boxers and a T-shirt but holding her close came as natural as ever. We fell asleep in the same position, me pressed up against her back, and our fingers entwined. We woke in the same morning position as the previous morning, her draped over my side, with her head on my chest.
    Today is the big day. This is her last treatment. She’s put on such a strong front, but I can’t help but wonder how she’s really doing on the inside. I feel helpless. All I can do is be there for her. I hope she knows I would give up everything to take this away from her. I just pray she’s beaten it, and she can move on to the next chapter of her life.
    Of our life.

Chapter 14
     
    Willow
    Waking up with Asher on the last day of treatment was such a big comfort. He’s been such a constant in my life since we met. I hope he knows how much he’s done for me by being here with me. After getting dressed, we went back to Asher’s so he could get ready.
    We head to the office with the same ritual , stopping on my floor with a