Page 50 of Just Ten Seconds

When the meeting wraps, Kevin walks out, singing “Material Girl,” and a few people hum along. I grab my belongings and some pamphlets from the back before leaving the building.

When I step outside, my breath hitches at the sight of an electric-blue pickup truck parked alongside my Accord.

Dean is leaning against his truck. His hands are deep in his pockets, and his feet are crossed at the ankle. He appears to be waiting for someone, but when I turn around, I see there’s no one behind me. As I inch closer to my car, my heart races.

“Hi,” I say in a low, even tone.

I try not to pay attention to the way his teeth skim his full lip as he fumbles with something in his jacket pocket.

“Did you have a good session?”

With a nod, I answer as casually as I can even though I feel like a schoolgirl who sees a cute guy waiting for her outside class, “Yeah. It was different from what I expected. Happy.”

“Tracey is great. Other therapists tend to want you to talk about yourself and how you’re handling your grief in a positive way,” he says those last words in a mocking manner.

“Have you been to many bereavement groups?”

“Tracey was my therapist at Sloane Kettering when my wife was sick. I followed her here when I moved.” He catches a glimpse of my fishnets and the tutu that’s peeking out from under my coat. “Going somewhere?”

I open my coat to show off my outfit. “I was at a party before this.”

“It’s an interesting look.”

“I am a material girl, and this is a material world.”

“Well, in that case, I’m sorry it’s not diamonds, but I brought you something.” He pauses for a moment, an unsure look on his face. He takes a box of Toblerone from his coat pocket and hands it to me.

Tears well up in my eyes at the sight. I take the box from him, our hands touching briefly in the process. The warmth I feel in this simple brush of skin is more comforting than anything I’ve felt in my entire life.

He must mistake my tears for sad ones because he quickly changes his stance. “I’m sorry. It was inconsiderate. I just saw it at the store, and after seeing you the other day, I thought maybe you could use—”

I brush him off with a smashed-lip smile. “It’s incredibly kind. Thank you.” I run my hand over the triangular box, my fingers grazing raised lettering. “How did you know I was going to be here? I told you I wasn’t coming back.”

“I saw your car in the parking lot.”

I point the box at him. “And you had this in your car, just waiting for me?”

His brows lower as he shrugs. “Maybe.”

A smile hits my face as I look down. Well, that was kinda sweet. I put the candy in my bag and adjust the strap on my shoulder. “Your plans changed. You said you weren’t coming tonight.”

“So did you,” he teases. “Amanda wanted to sleep over at her grandparents’ house.” He looks down and grins, his gaze peeking up at me through his lowered lashes. “And I wanted to see you again.”

I underestimated this man. I thought he was incapable of penetrating my heart, but I’m quite sure he just did it with his words and a box of chocolate.

His blue eyes darken, and suddenly, there’s heat in his gaze.

The door to Zion opens with Lauren and Joey.

“Hey, Dean! Missed you tonight,” Lauren says as she walks up to him and gives him a kiss hello.

Joey leans in to shake his hand. “Hey, man. We’re going to head over to Old Erie. You guys wanna join?”

Dean looks at me in question.

I hold my hands up. “Not in this getup.”

“Just one drink. It’s around the corner.” Lauren leans forward with her hands in a plea.