A Taste of Spring

DEZMOND

An unnerving quiet seemed to follow Dezmond as he moved through his apartment. Though, he felt a sense of relief because he had Spring safely tucked away in his bed. He also felt a large sense of gratitude that she nor Summer fought him when he suggested that they stay with him, for the night at least.

Entering his darkened living room, Dez saw Summer asleep on the sofa. His plan was to have her sleep with Spring. He looked at the green glow of numbers on his cable box and saw that it was after two in the morning. His need to see Spring comforted and asleep before leaving her side apparently took longer than he expected.

He was a bit surprised that Fallon was still here too. They hadn't spoken since the office incident. But if it weren't for Fallon's call, Dez wouldn't have gone over to Spring's apartment.

"I gave her some sheets and a pillow from the linen closet," Fallon whispered from the chair he'd scooted closer to the sofa. Fallon eased his hand from Summer's clenched hand and stood. "Can we talk?" He tilted his head in the direction of the front door, "Outside?"

Dez followed Fallon out of the apartment and into the hallway of the building. He watched Fallon dig his hands deep in his pockets as he raised then dropped his shoulders with a sigh.

"I fucked up," Fallon started. "But I'm not sorry for it. It seems that you got a great girl in there, according to her sister. I just," he looked up at the brightly lit light fixture on the ceiling, "I'm sorry for not giving her a fair chance."

"I can accept that."

nodded. It looked as if he wanted to say something else, but instead, he

hang-ups. He also knew that his friend meant no harm. For that, he was thankful to have Fallon as his best friend. "Hey," Dez called. He felt a bit hesitant, but when Fallon looked over his shoulder he said,

good-natured smile shone through. "Of course," he said,

that they were friends again. Well, in all honesty, they'd never stopped being friends.

as possible. When he peeked around the dividing wall to his bedroom, he felt his heart sink into his stomach. Spring wasn't in his bed. He

"I couldn't sleep."

his knees when he saw that she was

the side of his head on hers. The window was open. The street lights lit the night up

"He's out there somewhere."

the shiver that worked through Spring pass through him. She was terrified and that made him feel helpless. "I won't let him hurt you," he

to face, Dez saw trust reflected in her

money or obligation. I slept with you because you made me feel in a way I've

leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. "I should have talked to you. Not leave you that angry juvenile message on your