I took a drink of the dark roast and caught the leaves dancing on the branches across from us, the glass facades of the high-rises shimmering from the sun. Previously, I would have been chained to my desk, inhaling lunch between meetings, my phone incessantly ringing, my employees coming in and out of my office. I wouldn’t have made time to come here.

Cupcake dates had had no part in life.

“Thank you,” I said to her. “I didn’t realize how badly I’d needed this.”

“It’s like a nice, hot shower. The outdoors makes you feel alive again.”

I stared at her profile, the gusts moving small pieces of hair into her face. “That depends on who’s bathing you.” I reached across the armrest, placing my hand on her leg. “And who’s sitting next to you.”

She smiled. “That matters too, of course.” She threw our trash away since we’d finished eating and got behind me, taking me in the opposite direction of my building. “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about our talk last night.”

“And?”

“I would miss nursing if it wasn’t in my life. I love caring for people, but I don’t want my job to look the same as it was. I need change, and it’s time to embrace that.”

My back wouldn’t let me turn all the way around, so glancing across my shoulder was as far as I got. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“Don’t give me that much credit. I haven’t figured anything out, but there are a few ideas tugging at me.”

“You’ll piece it together.”

“I hope …” Her voice trailed off, the wheelchair stopping. “Shit! Caleb, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize where I was headed. I’ll take us home right now.”

I looked straight ahead, our location not hitting me until my eyes fell over the familiar landmarks.

The finish line.

It felt like hands were wrapped around my goddamn throat, the emotion making my whole body ache, my hands trembling as they circled the armrests.

“No, don’t.” As I scanned the area, my mind went back to April 15, the day I had walked so freely down this same sidewalk while thoughts of Dubai filled my head. “I want you to take me closer.”

“Are you sure?”

We were only two blocks from where it had happened. Even though the setup was long gone, I could see it all so vividly in my mind.

“Yes.”

She still didn’t move. “You don’t have to do this. We can come back on a different day and—”

“It’s okay.” I found her hand again, sliding our fingers together, forcing myself to take several deep breaths. “Facing it isn’t going to prevent me from getting stronger.”