A Harmony With You: Book Four

Cristina

"Be my date."

"Okay."

Leanne makes an excited gesture with a playful gleam in her eyes. She pretends as if she has been holding her breath and lets out a long sigh of relief. "Good good. You and me."

"Wait." I look up from finishing my makeup. "What for?"

Leanne follows me as I go to the large mirror in my room and check my outfit one last time. "It's for Daniel's wedding. The invitation says to bring a date. I told him you were my date."

My eyes grow wide as I look at her in the mirror. "He's getting married?!"

"I know right?! How are we still single and he, of all people, is getting married?"

I chuckle at her playful worry and finish up with my lipstick combination to say, "I like to think that we are single by choice. Well, mostly you. You reject everyone."

"You do, too!"

"I do not! I go on dates! You run away from them!"

She sits at my bed and narrows her eyes at me. I know she remembers all the times we have chatted about a man. She never likes anyone. She is too afraid still. There have been so many suitors who are very good men, but she hesitates and steps away. So she keeps quiet because she knows I am right.

There's a hint of sadness and I give her a warm smile. It's not her fault she had to train her heart to stay silent. She has to hold back because every time she has had to hope a little, she has only been disappointed. So I give her a warm wink and say, "But don't worry. I'll always be your date. No one will hurt you if I'm around."

Her heart melts a little but she does a scoff as she looks away. "It won't always be that way..."

I click my tongue at her and shake my head. "Don't say that. Do you see me with a ring on my finger? Don't worry too soon, Leanne."

"Sooner or later, it'll happen."

I take my shoes and chuckle. "Not just for me. For you, too, Leanne. Is it that time of the month, Leanne? Is that why you're so sentimental today?"

She has a small sad smile. I don't understand what is going on in her head, but I don't have time to interpret it. I finish with my high heels and say, "Okay. Are you off to work again?"

"Yes. I want to finish an appointment and then I'll see if I can hang out with my sisters. Something is up with Emma." She walks out with me and gives me a knowing smile as we enter the elevator. "You're dressed up so nicely just to go see Mr. Chu."

"He said it was something important. Plus, you know I'll take any excuse to dress up nicely."

"You do at work already."

"Shush, honey. Let me live!"

We share a laugh and she gives me a warm hug. She looks as lovely as ever in her blue scrubs and I wave back at her shining eyes. "Be safe, Cristina!"

"I will! Drive safely! Love you!" I blow her a kiss and she giggles. My heart does a little leap at the sound as I drive out of the parking lot.

But my heart begins to flutter as I near the campus. I have a hint of nerves that makes me want to swallow down a lump in my throat as I near the same large building with the professors' offices. The law students look determined and formal as they pass by. I almost feel like I am part of the law students as I walk with the same stride as them.

The lady at the front desk recognizes me and quickly asks me to stop walking away. I give her a gentle smile and go to the counter so she can tell me to meet with Mr. Chu somewhere else.