A Taste of Spring novel Chapter 29

DEZMOND

Minutes ticked away until Dez realized he was standing in the little alcove for over fifteen of them. He didn't want to jump to conclusions but he couldn't help wondering if Anna took off again.

"She must think I'm some desperate nutcase," he said to no one in particular.

"I sometimes do. I think it's all that stuff you write."

Dez swung his restless gaze to Fallon. "I'm waiting for someone, so if you don't mind..."

"So, you came here on a mission. I should have known you coming here for just the hell of it was a pipe dream."

Moving his hands through his thick hair, Dez pushed off the wall. "She's not coming back."

"So, what if she doesn't? You know nothing of this woman. She could be the serial killer going around," Fallon hissed. "You need to stop this crazy infatuation with a complete stranger before-"

"It's not like that," Dez bit out, cutting Fallon's argument short. "This isn't anything like Tina."

"It isn't?" Fallon tilted his head as he pinned Dez with a hard stare.

Dez felt the weight of his friend's words. This isn't anything like Tina, he repeated in his head. It isn't. Was it though? Dez turned his back to his friend. He needed to think without Fallon's eyes digging into his head.

(Tina...)

Was he doing the same thing that almost ruined him?

"Dezmond?"

(Anna!)

Her sweet voice was like a soothing balm on his troubled spirit. She came back. Turning around, Dez's lips stretched into a smile as he took Anna's hand. "Fallon, I'd like you to meet Anna."

Fallon noticeably hesitated.

Dez's felt his inner smile beam brighter than his outer one. He didn't usually get joy from his friends being wrong, but tonight he loved it.

"Hello, Anna," Fallon said smoothly. He took her hand.