Free Forever Kiss by Dawn Michelle Page B

She couldn't tell him the truth, but she didn't want to lie to him either. He was too nice. But she didn't want him to treat her like a mercy case either.
    "What's wrong?" he asked when she waited too long.
    Beth sighed. "I'm dying, John."
    "I know, but I'm an optimist."
    "No," she shook her head and made sure he was looking in her eyes. "It's happening. Tonight is my gift. It's happening because my body can't fight much longer."
    "What? But you look— what do you mean, a gift?"
    She reached up and brushed her fingers over the patch on her neck that emerged from under the choker of her dress. "You've heard of Hospice?"
    John's lips parted and a breath slipped out of them. His face and shoulders fell with it. "No," he breathed. "You—"
    Beth reached across and placed her hand on his. She wanted to cry but knew she couldn't. Not for her, for him. "Tonight's all we've got. Let's make the most of it."
    "But— I—"
    Beth pushed a finger to his lips. "No buts. Don't hold anything back tonight for me, okay? I've had a not so great life, I want to end it right."
    "Jesus, that's kind of morbid."
    Beth laughed. "Morbid? Tell me, are you religious?"
    He shrugged. "Sort of. I'm not really a regular church-goer or anything. Are you?"
    "No. After what I've seen and been through? How could I be."
    He shook his head. "I've seen a lot of people in situations like this get more into religion. Something to fall back on or believe in. Something that gives them hope."
    "I'm expecting my next life to be amazing," Beth admitted. John's brow furrowed and she smiled. "What? If I'm wrong then I won't know about it."
    He chuckled. "Good point. Okay, so hold nothing back? I want you to tell me all about yourself. Let me know who you are, so I can keep that with me. God, this sounds so morbid, but I guess I feel if I can really know you, it'll be like you're still here."
    Beth tilted her head and smiled as she considered his words. "That's so sweet! We've only got tonight though, and I don't know how long I'm going to feel good."
    John frowned. He turned and put his car in drive. "Then we'd better get started."
    Beth grinned and let John drive south out of town until he pulled into the plowed parking lot of Ellie Park. Beth glanced at the sign and turned to John. "Um, the hours say dawn to dusk?"
    He smiled. "If anybody asks we'll tell them you're helping me with a case."
    "A case? I thought detectives did that?"
    "Somebody's been watching too many cop shows!"
    Beth laughed. "Maybe, why, is that wrong?"
    "No," he admitted. "But even lowly patrolmen like me still help out and investigate things."
    Beth glanced out the window to where the car's headlights lit up a walkway that had a trail beat down through the snow. "Good, let's go then!"
    "You're really going to hike in that dress?"
    Beth smiled and asked, "Would you like me to take it off instead?"
    His open mouthed response made her laugh. She opened her door and climbed out. Her boots handled the parking lot and, she was certain, they'd work fine for the trail. Otherwise she'd have to take them off and walk barefoot. That would freak John out more than she imagined he could handle.
    He met her at the front of the car and started to unzip his coat. "Here, at least take this."
    Beth smiled and shook her head. "You keep it."
    "Liz! Come on, you've got to be freezing."
    "Then let's walk, it'll warm me up," she said and winked at him. She turned before he could protest and started down the trail. John hurried to catch up to her and walk beside her.
    "You're still feisty, I like that."
    Beth glanced at him and smiled. She reached out and slipped her hand in his, earning a shy glance and smile from him. The lights from his car turned off and plunged them into darkness lit only by the stars overhead and the distant city glow to the north and east.
    "It's beautiful out here," she said. "Thank you for this."
    "You're crazy," he laughed. "I should be thanking you. Giving me this opportunity, I'll remember it