Chapter 45: Daniel, Part 3

I bite back a grin. What she doesn't realize is how painful the weeks without her were. I already learned my lesson the hard way. I won't make that same mistake twice.

"The pattern has changed," I say. "I didn't see it before, but now that Blanca has pointed it out, I can do something about it. I'll have to keep it in the forefront of my mind when life throws a curveball at me. Sometimes you may have to call me on it, but now that I know it's there, I can fix it."

Quincy takes a breath. Ironically, I feel like I'm holding mine.

"I really missed you, you know?" I say.

She reaches up and caresses my cheek. I close my eyes and relish the feel of her touching me again. "I really missed you, too."

I slide to my knees and hug her around the waist. I probably look like a total pussy in front of her, but I don't care. I can breathe again. She's giving me another chance.

We stay like this for a few minutes, me hugging her, her running her fingers through my hair. I'm so content, if I wasn't hyp