Take a Chance by Annalisa Nicole Page B

place them on each side of my neck.
    “Asher, it’s OK.” Very gently he holds my neck while we kiss. Moving his hands to either of my shoulders, he then slowly eases one down my side and around my waist. He pulls me closer. A soft moan comes from deep in his throat that vibrates on my lips.  I slip my hands under his un-tucked dress shirt. His skin is warm and smooth. He softly cups my face with his other hand. Pulling away, he places one more closed mouth kiss on my lips.
    “It’s late . You’ve had a long day. I should go.”
    “O K, thank you for today, for the flowers, although I threw them away, sorry. Thank you for dinner and taking me grocery shopping. Especially, thank you for telling me about Olivia. I want you to know, I never want you to think twice about telling me about her. She was and still is a part of you, and I never want to take that away from you. Any memories you want to share, I would be honored to hear about them.”
    “I knew there was something special about you , Willow. Thank you for being so understanding. I’ll see you tomorrow, same time same place for lunch?”
    “Sure, sounds great.”
    Walking him to the door, he wraps me in a tight hug and kisses me. Shutting the door, I walk to my bedroom to get ready for bed. I hear the chirp of my cell phone.
    10:07PM Thank you for spending your evening with me. I’ll see you tomorrow at work sweetheart. A
    10:08PM Thank you for everything today. You have been my rock these past weeks. W
     
    Asher
    Lying in bed again with a smile on my face, I wonder if Olivia will come to me in my dreams again. It seems strange, but I can‘t wait to tell her about Willow. As I begin to hear the familiar crashing waves and the smell of the salty air, Olivia is sitting in the sand with yellow roses in her hand. She sees me and smiles. Standing to walk over to me, she places a kiss on my cheek.
    “Olivia , I missed you last night. Why didn’t you come to me last night?”
    “Ash, this is the last time I can come to you.”
    “What? No, Olivia, I need you. You can’t go.”
    “Ash, you are ready , you have been ready. Your heart is complete again. You don’t need me anymore. Everything you have ever needed is right here in your heart. I know you will never forget me or our memories. There is enough room in your heart for those and the new ones you will make with Willow. You’re a beautiful man inside and out. You have so much to offer Willow. You are kind and patient. Be there for Willow, she needs you to be everything I know you are. I know you are still scared, but she will be there for you too. Let her. You both need to be there for each other.
    “ Be gentle and patient with her. I know the man you are, and I know you will be just fine. I love you, and I always will. It’s time for you to let me go. Know that I am at peace. And that I will always be there in your heart, as you are in mine.” Taking a single yellow rose from the bunch she places it in my hand.
    “Ash , go and start your life with Willow. It’s time for me to go. Know that you have never let me down. Our life together was a memory I will cherish always.”
    With a kiss on the cheek , she turns around and walks down the beach. I watch with tears streaming down my own face, until I can’t see her any longer. I look up at a white dove flying over my head with a yellow rose in its mouth. Dropping the rose I catch it and add it to the one I’m still holding. Raising both to my nose I take a deep breath and smell them. The sun starts to warm my face as it rises. Opening my eyes, I’m clenching my sheets in my fists, instead of roses. I sit up and open my night stand, pull out Olivia’s photo, and cry letting go of deep buried grief.
    “Olivia, I love you and I will never forget you, I will honor our memories and keep you in my heart forever.” Placing the photo back in the drawer, I text Willow:
    7:45AM How about I pick you up this morning on my way in it seems a waste to take two