“I like the sound of that promise. I’m going to hold you to it.” The tears were gone as the water washed them away. From all the emotion, I was exhausted.
Giving me a quick kiss, he helped me stand. “You’re worn out. Let me finish, then we’ll go downstairs.”
That sounded like the perfect plan to me.
Sitting in a chaise lounge in the living room, Gael brought me some soup.
“This looks like homemade chicken noodle soup.”
Gael winked at me before sitting on the edge with a sandwich that looked like it belonged in a magazine. “I wish I could take the credit. My dad made a bunch of food and sent it with my mom when she came over to watch you. There were a couple of times I had to go to the restaurant and I couldn’t leave you alone.”
Vague images of his mom came to mind. Most of the last few days felt like a drug induced dream. “I think I remember her being here at some point.”
Taking a sip of soup, I let the broth slide down to my stomach, filling and warming it at the same time. I was hungry, but wanted to take it slow.
“What else do you remember?” Gael asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.
I thought about it. “I remember you, mostly, giving me medicine, being in the chair. Some vague conversations about how I was doing. That’s about it. Why?”
Gael shrugged. “I was just curious. You were pretty out of it.”
Not able to tell if there was a specific reason and beginning to feel tired, I put my tray on the coffee table Gael had moved close to me. Not eating for three days had suppressed my appetite after a few bites.
“I think I’m going to rest.” Then, I remembered something. “Was anything ever published about our confrontation with Harris in the street?”
Gael shook his head. “No, there wasn’t anything. Harris was still here as of last night where he attended a benefit dinner that was in the paper. Other than that, he’s not making his presence known throughout most of the day.”
“I wish he’d go back to New York and leave me alone.” I hated the thought he was still in the same town as me.
Gael’s voice took on an edge. “Me too. I don’t like the fact that he could run into you at any time and me not be there.”
I yawned, too tired to talk about Harris anymore. Leaning back, I pulled the cover up as Gael’s lips touched my forehead. “Goodnight, I’ll be in the other room catching up on e-mails.”
Nodding, I let myself drift off to sleep.
A couple of days had passed and I was nearly at full-strength again from the flu. Gael was in the shower after a morning of cooking. Pushing back from my desk, I sent the final e-mail to an urban store located in Manhattan I’d finished a website for. The doorbell rang and I got up to get it as Gael called, “I’ll be down in a sec.”
As I passed the table, I smiled at the flowers Amelia and Steven had sent yesterday. Opening the door, my best friend and her husband yelled, “Surprise!” at the same time.
Stunned, I couldn’t believe who stood on the front porch. It took me a moment to process that Steven and Amelia where here. In Savannah. On my doorstep. I threw my arms around them. Belatedly, I spoke, “What are you guys doing here? I didn’t know you were coming!”
I had missed my best friend.
Gripping me tightly, she told me. “I told you I was coming. I missed you and needed a best friend fix. We figured we’d give you a surprise visit.”
I heard Gael coming down the stairs. Releasing me, all the attention moved to my boyfriend. Coming to my side, Gael put his arm around my waist. “Gael, this is Amelia and her husband Steven.”
Gael extended his hand to shake Steven’s as they exchanged pleasantries. Amelia, of course, gave him a hug. She was dressed stylishly in jeans and a sweater that hung off her shoulders with her brown hair in a ponytail. Gael’s hair was still wet from his shower and my ever-growing libido needed attention. Gael still hadn’t given me the clean bill of health. I was about to start playing dirty.
Amelia whispered something in Gael’s ear, then pulled back. He nodded and smiled. Then, louder, for everyone to here, Amelia said, “It’s nice to finally meet you after all our talks.”
Talks? I looked between the two and Gael gave me a wink. He explained, “Amelia had called a few times while you were sick. I called her back so she wouldn’t worry. As we talked, we planned this visit as a surprise.”
Standing there, I know my mouth hung open. Amelia closed it with her forefinger. “Don’t be too stunned. Your man has impressed me as he kept me informed and nursed you back to health.”
I snickered at Gael wagging his eyebrows at me from behind Amelia and Steven as they looked at me. Happiness radiated through me as I spoke, “I’m so glad to have you here. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, but now I can see why you’ve been so preoccupied. You’re forgiven by the way.” Amelia bumped my shoulder as she spoke.