59

Abel

As Lauren escorted Doctor Pete outside, I plopped back down beside Lana, careful not to hit her sprained ankle. “I'm sorry I took so long in there. Feel better?”

“Go away, Abel,” she snapped, turning her face the other way. “Not right now. I don't want to talk to you.”

“Is this about what I said earlier, Lana? I didn't mean to offend you with my question. You know the last thing I could ever want is to see you unhappy.”

“But you did, Abel. You did offend me. That's the problem. Ever heard of the saying, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions?’”

I mulled over the saying for a few minutes, then exhaled and asked. “Why don't we sit outside on the grass and talk for a while?”

“No. I don't want to talk. I told you — ”

Ignoring her, I lifted her up into my arms and carried her outside, amidst protests. She raised her fist to pound it against my chest, but thought better of it. “You're insufferable.”

“And you're beautiful.”

She blushed furiously, attempting to hide it with her