Alice could feel panic building up as eight approached. She had reached for her phone ten times to cancel, but hadn't been able to bring herself to do it. For one thing, she wanted to see him. She missed him more than she wanted to admit to herself. And for another, he wasn't likely to put up with it if she bailed on him again.
She knew he was suspicious, and she knew he was probably beyond off base when it came to the possibilities he was considering. There was a part of her that just wanted to blurt it out, to get it over with and explain the situation, but the other, hurt, side of herself kept silencing it with the memories of her old life- old friends, old boyfriend, old job- all turning against her. Was it fair to assume Boo would be the same? No, but fear is a powerful thing.
Alice jolted at the knock, staring wide-eyed at the door for a moment before blurting out, "Coming!" She hobbled her way over to it, took in a deep breath, and tugged it open. The sight of him shot a lump up into her throat, and she had to take in another shaky breath to recover as she moved aside to let him in. "Hi. Come in," she breathed.