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."

looked as if he wanted to say something else, but instead, he turned and walked toward

He felt a bit hesitant, but when Fallon looked over his

his classic good-natured smile shone through. "Of course," he said, a bit more upbeat. "I'll call you tomorrow...to check

Watching Fallon leave, Dez knew that they were friends again. Well,

wall to his bedroom, he felt his heart sink into his stomach. Spring wasn't in his bed. He

"I couldn't sleep."

knees when he saw that she was

side of his head on hers. The window

"He's out there somewhere."

worked through Spring pass through him. She was terrified and that

Face to face, Dez saw trust reflected

didn't want to lie to you. And I didn't sleep with you that first night because of money or obligation. I slept with you because you made me feel in a

and closed her eyes. "I should have talked