Knowing about love and romance had never been my department, but it was generally accepted that there should be some sort of spark. I’d never met a man who made my stomach flutter. That made me feel tiny and girlish. Maybe I’d never met a real man.
Dragging the bag full of old clothing to my front door, I looked around my space with a different focus. I’d be walking around here totally blind for a week, so I had to memorize where essentials were, and find ways to navigate. It was odd to shift into a new headspace like this, and I was nervous. I was even more nervous about having a stranger here.
There was nothing that I could do about it. Every time that thought popped into my head, I felt trapped. Cornered. Helpless. The loss of freedom and space was likely hard enough for social people but for a quiet little loner like me, it might be an exhausting week.
CHAPTER ONE
* Kayla *
Sleeping in the dark, waking in the dark. I was starting to lose focus. My alarm went off even though I wouldn’t be leaving my apartment. I knew sleeping for more than nine hours would make me feel groggy.
Reaching out to turn off the beeping, I rolled to the side then sat up slowly, remembering the doctor’s warnings about potential dizzy spells.
I kept trying to tell myself that it was sort of the same as having a wisdom tooth pulled. Uncomfortable, painful and awkward, then it would be over and I would feel much better.
But this wasn’t a dental issue. I was lying in bed with my eyes bandaged, having been blind for two days. I had five days left before the doctor could check and see if the surgery was a success.
Everyone had been very sweet to me, even while addressing my questions and fears as if I were some sort of hysterical woman. I needed to know the precise success rates and healing times. I wanted the data. That wasn’t too much to ask. They made everything sound like it was completely routine. But there was nothing normal about having to go through your apartment with a nurse, practicing being blindfolded so that I wouldn’t hurt myself.
I was extremely relieved that they sent Gwen from the Armstrong Agency. She was a sweet lady in her late thirties or early forties, who answered all of my questions, and seemed intent on making me as self-sufficient as possible.
Since my only close friend lived across an ocean, Gwen took me to my surgery. Then she brought me home and put me to bed after, even spending the first night on the couch.
It was actually a relief to have her assisting me for the first day. We kept busy with food and tea, and she timed my painkillers precisely. She also supervised my nap time, always arranging pillows to keep my head propped up carefully.
Gwen’s slightly snarky attitude was hilarious, and we got along quite well. After making sure that I could still navigate my apartment, she went home last night assuring me that she would be back in the morning.
I appreciated her no-nonsense attitude and gentle teasing. Now that I only had to survive five more days of blindness, I felt like I was actually going to get through this.
When Gwen was over an hour late in the morning, a prickle of worry ran up my spine.
I had set my phone up so that voice commands could tell me the time, or play audiobooks for me. I managed to get dressed, tie back my hair, and make tea in the microwave since I didn’t trust myself to use the stove.
When Gwen was two hours late, my heart began to speed up with a slight wave of panic. I guess I had the nursing agency’s number in my phone, so I could call, but I didn’t want to seem high strung quite yet.
I ate a granola bar and had another cup of tea to feel like I was doing something productive. Keeping busy, and working on the computer or reading at all times was my life. Not being able to study and do research was driving me a bit mental already. I had planned this surgery for the second I finished the school term, but usually I’d still be studying or working part-time. Having a week of absolutely nothing was extremely odd.
I wasn’t supposed to exert myself, so I couldn’t exercise. I stretched my back out gently, then laid on the couch, wondering at what point I should call the agency.
If nothing at all happened, I’d be fine. But the tiny shadow of doubt about what I’d do in case something went wrong began to eat away at me until I became genuinely nervous.
CHAPTER TWO
* Liam *
My beeping phone felt the full force of my glare. Sunday was my day to sleep in, and nobody but Gwen would be disturbing me at the moment. It was a bit early in the morning for my sister to be calling, so I answered it. Even though I hugely preferred texts to voice calls.
“Don’t freak out,” she said quickly, “I’m okay. But I’ve been in a tiny little incident.”
I could feel my shoulders tighten as I jumped up. “Explain.”
“I’m fine. I’m going to say that twice so that you don’t freak. I’m fine.”
“Okay.” We were close enough that she could likely hear me waving my hand impatiently to imply that she should get on with it.
“I was riding my bike to work when some asshole cabbie swerved into the bike lane. Then his idiot passenger jumped out right in front of me.”
“Holy shit – Sis, are you okay?”