Whisper of Fortune and Love

was heavy on me, quiet, and coughing. He could think of no more than the promise he had spoken to himself with; that he

ssible. He had built walls over years, a fortress around his soul, and love was just another risk, another potential wound. But Jessic

ome higher cause or something. And what had happened over the past few weeks had made him aware that the q

gs went right; he could lose everything, too, if they didn't. That thought gnawed at him, as though his very identity a

ack, his brother, who had always been there for him,

sual, almost carefree tone belied the concern belo

way from the window.

her,

his, Jack. I'm not sure if I trust myself enough to go

ever. No one's perfect, Michael. You've got to take that leap. I can see it in your e

But what if she doesn't feel that

r know unless you try. You'd better stop r

ight. If he didn't make the jump now, he'd spend the rest of hi

kind of anticipation she didn't know how to shake. Days had passed since Michael's impassioned confession, and although the walls betwee

s world of wealth and power. She toiled all of her life for what she had, forging a path of her own. But Michael's world, his life of excess - it was a world she h

er mind was elsewhere. Across from her, Alice, he

him, aren't you?"

what to do, Alice. I want part of me wanted to be with him another part of me is terrifi

elf, Jessica. You've always had a gut instinct about patients, about life.

to fix, like one of his projects? He's a billionaire. He's accustomed to getting everything he

investment he's chosen to make, someone he wants to fight f

I don't know, Alice. I just don't know whether

hink you are. But you're neve

hest. No plan, no rehearsal - only the need to be honest, to show her that he was willing to t

what if she didn't want him there? What if he was too late? But the door opened, and there she was - Je

id, her voice qua

said, his voice 

ing room, where the low light of the lamps painted shadows against th

held people at arm's length for so long, but with you... It's different. I can't keep running from it. I want to take the jump with you, Jessica. I want to trust,

ing barriers around her heart to keep out the heartache that accompanied love. But with Michael, those barriers had collapsed in ways s

everything I've built. I've worked really hard, for a long time, to create a life that I feel proud of,

is is us, constructing something, not subtracting who we are. I'm ready to lose it al

htened and hopeful she thought Jessica might break into two. But in that

lling to try," she whispered, de

ce between his palms. "That's all I need, Jessica. A

p of trust, vulnerability and readiness to encounter the unknown as one. So they joined hands and walke

next, trusting that they had mad