Long Distance Lover. Donna Hill

to find someone else.”

       “You’ve got to be kidding. It’s a little late in the game, don’t you think? We’ve packed up, left Atlanta, come all the way to big bad New York City and because you ‘don’t like him’ you want to find someone else. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”

       He clenched his teeth before finishing off his drink then walked toward her. He knelt down and placed his hands on her knees.

       “Listen, you know I only want the best for you. I have a bad feeling about him.”

       “I don’t.”

       “You wouldn’t.”

       “What’s that supposed to mean?”

       “You’re a woman.”

       Her brows shot up. “Meaning?”

       “Meaning I can see through him.”

       “David, you’re not making any sense.”

       He pushed up and stood. “We’re going back to Atlanta.”

       “No. We’re not.”

       He looked down at her, saw the same determination in her eyes that she had on the track moments before a big race. “I know what’s best for you.”

       “And I don’t? David, I’m not sixteen anymore. I’m a grown woman. I’m capable of making my own decisions—if you’d ever let me,” she added and didn’t flinch when he took a step toward her. “I’m staying.”

       David heaved a sigh. His features hardened.

       “You said he was the best. We’ll never know if we leave. I want to run again and I believe he can make that happen.”

       He shoved his hands in his pockets. She was right. There was no question about Hutchinson’s credentials. He had to put his personal dislikes aside for Kelly’s sake.

       “Fine,” he conceded on a long breath. “If this is what you want.” His stern expression softened and the hint of a smile curved his mouth. “You know I can’t deny you anything.” He reached over and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her right ear.

       “Thank you. I will be fine. I feel it.”

       “We’ll give it a shot.” He walked to the love seat and picked up his jacket, draped it over the bend of his arm. “Can I get you anything? I’m going to order room service.”

       “No. Thanks.”

       He gave her an incredulous look. “You haven’t eaten all day. You should be starved by now.”

       “Maybe later.”

       He stared at her for a moment.

       “What?”

       “Nothing,” he muttered. “I’ll check on you later.”

       Kelly waited until she was sure David was settled in his room before she got up and went into her bedroom.

       She went to the dresser and fished beneath her underwear and pulled out a bag of candy, chocolate bars and chewy sweets. She went in the bathroom, sat on top of the closed toilet seat and stuffed as much of the candy as she could in her mouth, savoring every fistful until her stash was gone.

       She leaned back and closed her eyes as the rush flowed through her like an addict’s high.

       Getting up slowly, she lifted the top of the toilet seat, leaned over and stuck her finger as far down her throat as she could.