I didn’t know why this was bothering me so much. We barely knew each other. But the connection, the intimacy we had shared, felt…like more. It felt…real.
“I cannot cancel my plans.”
“You had no issue canceling last night,” he reminded me.
Damn it. Did you really need to throw that back at me?
“That was different. I had work to do,” I said.
“You weren’t at the hospital. I know because I was there. I saw you leave,” he said.
He was watching me, like I had watched him. It was so ridiculous that it became comical. But wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of laughing. At least not now. I had the right to be hurt and angry, and I was both.
“Why don’t you call me tomorrow night? We can talk then. Right now, I have to go inside, because I need to discuss something important with my parents.”
I heard him let out a long, frustrated exhale before saying, “Okay. I’ll call you at the same time tomorrow. But please, Kyleigh, know that I really am sorry. I will be back in Tabiq in two weeks, and I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
“You can call, but no need to rush back on my account,” I stated.
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because I won’t be here,” I replied.
“What do you mean you won’t be there? Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m traveling. And I won’t be back until after your brother’s wedding. So, maybe you shouldn’t call me tomorrow. There’s no point in our talking any longer. We shared something…special, but it shouldn’t have happened. We just need to forget all about it and move on. I guess this really is goodbye,” I said, fighting the sick feeling about to take over me. I hoped my tone sounded as strong and confident as I needed it to, because my insides were a mess. And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget Liam. Not sure I want to.
I didn’t wait for his reply and ended the call. It didn’t matter. I now knew that all Liam and I had was one amazing night and a bunch of sweet, delicious kisses.
As I opened my car door, I noticed my mom standing in the doorway looking at me. Had she heard my conversation with Liam? Goodness, I hope not.Things are already bad enough.
I got out and forced a smile. “Hi, Mom.”
“You’re home early again today,” she said.
“Yes. There’s something I need to talk to you and Dad about,” I said.
“I thought we talked last night.”
Yup, and it all changed again.
“Yes. Same topic, just more information. Can we go inside and sit, please?” I asked.
She nodded and said, “The tea is already poured and on the table.”
That wasn’t a good sign. It meant she’d been expecting me. But it might mean I didn’t have to dance around the topic and could just get to the point.
When I sat down, my dad joined us. I spent the next thirty minutes explaining everything about my training and that I’d already signed the paperwork. I knew they wouldn’t be thrilled, but I wasn’t expecting my mom to start crying uncontrollably.
“Mom, I’m going to be okay. I told you, it’s safe,” I said, reaching out to hold her hand. “Dr. O’Connor wouldn’t be sending me to the United States if it wasn’t safe.”
I believed that to be true. He was fair to all who worked at the hospital, but I’d also witnessed how much he cared for the people of Tabiq.
She only cried harder. My dad was also trying to console her. Neither of us were having any success. I know she doesn’t want to let me go, but she had to know that eventually I would grow up and leave.
“Mom, please stop crying,” I pleaded.
“I can’t. This is the worst thing that you could’ve told me,” she sobbed.