14. Luna
CHAPTER 14
Luna
“Have you had enough water today? Let me get you more water.” Monroe exited my office before I could stop her.
It had been two full days since my body went rogue in the most unhelpful way. I shook my head, still in disbelief that Beck of all people took me to the hospital and then took care of me afterwards…
In the corners of my memory, I recalled the feel of his arms around my body as he whisked me to the hospital, the little statements of reassurance he whispered in my ears when he thought I couldn’t hear him.
All the little things that panged my heart and made me wonder, what if…
“Ah, shit,” Monroe cursed as she walked through the door, water sloshing over the glass she brought me.
I lifted my giant ass water container from behind the desk, displaying it prominently.
“You already have water,” she said, deflated.
I made a gimme motion. “I’m sure yours is better. I’ll start with your glass and move onto this monstrosity. Sound good?”
A deep seed of pride found purchase in my chest for doing something on the doctor’s to-do list. I wasn’t that terrible of a patient.
“Take a seat and catch me up on what I missed.” I had spent yesterday on site at the Chateau, figuring that needed my attention. By the time I finished walking through and getting briefed by both Parvati and Sebastian, I was wiped out and went home to rest.
That meant I hadn’t been at the club for days. I’d never gone this long without checking in with my staff and the club. My emails were piled high and though I triaged as many as I could at home, there were people I wanted to chat with in person on a few outstanding issues.
Once I was fully briefed, I did my rounds, and schmoozed with the VIP clients, before checking in with my barkeep. They managed the inventory and the prices from our distributor were going up, which meant we needed to think closely about what we kept in stock. So after picking the barkeep’s brain, I walked back to my office to call my bookkeeper so we could review invoices and price out various combinations of hard alcohol and the different brands. The last thing I wanted to do was raise drink prices, so I sought a solution—any solution or combination of solutions—to prevent that from happening.
Our ambiance and fair prices were what kept us successful during economic booms and busts. I’d like to keep it that way.
My phone pinged as I poured over inventory spreadsheets.
Faith
You haven’t responded to any of my calls or texts. Please tell me you’re okay before I make Sebastian drive us to the city before our designated day. You know how he feels about impromptu trips…
Faith
Best friends do this thing called texting. Or calling. At this point, I’m not too picky.
Faith
Okay, now you’re making me mad. Sebastian said Beck took you to the hospital. BECK!? Seriously. I need all the details.
Faith
And why it took my live-in lover days to tell me this is something I will deal with him directly about. In the meantime, I need YOU to tell me what happened.
Faith
Packing my bags…
Sebastian
Please text Faith back to let her know you’re alright. She’s packing her bags and Willow is getting upset.
Sebastian
Seriously, my dog is pacing the room because she’s worried about Faith and because Faith is worried about you. You’re the only one that can stop her.
Faith
What’s the name of the driver that picked me up in the middle of the night when Sebastian was being an idiot? Do you think he’s on standby?
I rolled my eyes and waited for the little dancing dots next to Faith’s name to do their thing.
Faith
Or…
A knot formed tight in my stomach.
Faith
Or I could just call Beck and get the details from him.
Faith
Yep, I think that’s what I’m going to do. Good night!
My fingers couldn't type fast enough.
Luna
I’m fine. Promise.
Then I double tapped the button on the side of my phone, enabling the camera. I snapped a quick selfie and sent it over.
Luna
See. All good. No need to pester Beck.
Faith
Since when do you protect Beck…
Well, she’s got me there.
I tapped the phone a few times. I’d just call her to talk for a few minutes and clear things up.
“Now you call me?” Faith berated me as she answered the call.
I tilted my camera toward the computer screen in front of me. “I have work to catch up on. Just needed to make sure you didn't send the cavalry. It would interrupt my flow and I’m knee deep in catch-up mode.”
I'd basically given up on getting to sleep at a decent hour.
Faith narrowed her eyes. “Is that what the doctor would want?”
But before I could answer, Sebastian walked into frame. “So are we good, or are we going to have to trek to the city in the middle of the night?”
I pointed back at the screen. “That's up to your girlfriend, but I promise I’ve got it covered. I even meditated this morning!”
Faith beamed. “You did? I'm so proud of you.”
Technically, I sat down and closed my eyes for a few seconds with the intention of meditating. My legs were crossed and everything before my phone chimed, and I had to triage something with Parvati.
Details, details.
As if she could now see the truth on my face, Faith’s smile faltered.
She was quick. I was quicker.
I blew a kiss. “Love you both. I promise to check in tomorrow. Bye-eee.”
Then I hung up the call and slammed the phone on the desk, hoping they'd just accept my responses and be done with it.
But a little seed of doubt was planted, and I knew it wouldn't be the last time I had this conversation.