Seeking Escape

27. #nofakeohs

*** Quinn's POV ***

It was six and Joyce still hadn't called. I was pacing my apartment, worried that her therapist had told her that I was all wrong for her. That she should return to her previous relationship with her former love, Dan. Fuck. Fuck!

My phone buzzed across the room. I dove for it like it contained a quickly dissolving message that if I didn't read fast enough it would be gone.

Joyce: I'm home. Are you okay if we stay here again? It's easier for me with work in the morning.

The message was innocuous but I was trying to decipher if there was a tone or an edge to it that I was missing. I wanted to ask if she was okay, but I didn't because I realized that it was really just me who was freaking out here.

Quinn: Sounds good. Do you want me to pick up something for dinner?

Joyce: You can if you want. I'm not particularly hungry.

Of course, I read into that. I hated myself for being so worried about this. If her therapist thinks I'm not good for her, they're probably right and I need to respect that. But that would also be so unfair to stereotype because damn it, I am good for her. Right?

I groaned aloud because I was driving myself crazy with this line of thought. I left, forgetting to pack an overnight bag, and only realizing it halfway to her place. I decided I didn't need one. I forced myself to stop and get a pizza, although suddenly I had lost my appetite too. I also ordered a small pizza on a cauliflower crust with buffalo chicken and ranch just in case she ended up wanting something later.

I took a couple of deep breaths before getting out the car and walking to her door. I didn't know what awaited me. I knocked and waited.

"It's open." Joyce's muffled voice came through the door.

I balanced the pizzas and pushed open the door. She grabbed onto the boxes but turned so quickly that I didn't have a chance to see her face or read her eyes. She had showered and appeared to be in loungewear.

"You didn't have to get me anything." She said as she walked towards the kitchen.

I turned and locked the door. "Yeah, I figured once you smelled it that you might get hungry. I got you your favorite."

"I am actually a little hungry. I'll get us plates." She called back.

"Everything go okay? I was expecting you to call earlier." I asked. I noticed she had a bottle of wine started on the living room table. I also noticed the little white card with blue embellishments that I had hoped had found it's way into the trash. It was Dan's business card. Joyce hadn't answered and now piecing things together, I kind of feared the worst.

"Here you go." She startled me, nudging me with a plate containing two slices of pizza. "Do you want a glass of wine?"

She wasn't looking at me. I took the plate in one hand and grabbed her arm with the other. She finally looked at me and I could tell that she had been crying. My heart immediately sank as I pulled her into me. "Joy."

She wrapped her arms around my neck without hesitancy and I just held her. I was scared to ask any further. Eventually she pushed back and I braced myself. She smiled at me and traced my furrowed brow with her fingertips. "It was a great session, Quinn. Just really emotional to consider how far I have come. Being with you makes me feel normal again."

She laces her fingers behind my head and draws my face to hers. I meet her lips with relief. She reassures me with gentle strokes of her tongue. She pulls back much too quick for my taste.