Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Kir
I finished my shower, bounced on my feet, and got dressed. The night before, I’d had a great time. That morning, we went over the weekend plans. Then she texted me on her lunch break that she wanted to see her sister that day, so we’d added it to the packed schedule. I had the helicopter ready.
The second she came home, I met her and asked, “How was your day?”
She laughed and kissed my cheek. “Everyone is super nice to me, and they think I know your brothers.”
I shrugged. “Well, that can’t be bad for the interview.”
“You look nice. I need to change.” She waved for me to go with her, and I followed her as she swayed. “If they’re taking over the company, then I’m truly at a loss about what to do.”
As she stepped into her room, I stayed at the door. She gazed at me as I asked, “What do you mean?”
She left the door open and grabbed a green-and-yellow dress for the hospital and the party. She moved so I couldn’t see her changing. “I’ve been so focused on getting the promotion that I never really thought about the overall performance of the company. My life has been all about my sister.”
I wasn’t sure what to do, but I backed away. We weren’t dating, and I refused to pressure her to be with me. I waited in the living room.
She came out and smiled at me, and I did the same and said, “I’m glad you’re letting me come visit your sister.”
Then we grabbed our shoes and headed out the door as she said, “She wants to see you, and we’re off to Connecticut, so I want to see what the doctor said.”
I directed her up to the top of the building as the helicopter was the fastest option we had. She froze at the door when she saw the staff waiting for us. I offered my hand, and she took it.
As I helped her with her seatbelt, I asked, “Are you thinking of getting a new job?”
She trembled a little and couldn’t even look at me. “No. Yes. Maybe.” As the helicopter lifted off, I held her hand, and she met my eye. “I haven’t formulated my thoughts, but it was so odd today when the president of the company stopped at my desk to say hi.”
I nodded. Her skills were in demand. I’d have to hire an analyst soon, and she’d be good to have at my side. “If you do decide, please let me know. Data is important in all companies, and I might have ideas about where you can look.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want a handout.”
I tensed. I never wanted her to feel beholden to me. “It’s not a handout.” We landed at the hospital, and I asked, “So where did your sister live before this?”
“She had an apartment near this hospital, but I put her things in storage.”
We walked to the stairs. At some point, we would talk about getting her sister back on her feet, but for the moment, I asked, “She worked here?”
“Yeah, as a nurse.”
We made it to the third floor and passed the nurse then went to a corner room that was cheery. Avril smiled brighter as she met her sister’s gaze. “Abby, hi.”
Avril took her sister’s hand with the IVs in it and pressed it to her heart.
“You’re holding hands,” Abigail said.
Avril let go of my hand fast. I held her chair for her and then took the seat near the window and asked, “How was the first treatment?”
Abby moved her chair and sat down and then squeezed Avril’s hand. “I never thought I’d get the VIP room. Thank you, Kir.”
Heat rose to my face, and I shook my head. “Don’t thank me. Just get better.”
She said, “That’s the plan. Your mom sent those flowers.”
I relaxed. I could let them talk, and I would happily wait outside. “We’re all rooting for you. Did you meet with my doctor?”
She laughed. “Dr. Hottie. Yeah.”
Avril asked, “What?”
Abby shrugged. “I have cancer, but my eyes work just fine. And yes, we chatted, and he mentioned proton treatments, which wasn’t in my plan of care, and spoke to my doctors.”
My ears perked up. “Did you want to?”
She stared at me. “I want to do anything to get well and see you two happy over dinner or anything outside of this hospital.”
I texted the doctor in question to set up the treatments.
Avril hugged her sister. “Now, that sounds like a plan.”
Once Avril sat back down, Abigail asked, “So what are you two doing after seeing me? You’re both dressed nice.”
I tucked my phone away. “My brother’s wedding is tomorrow afternoon, so we’ll fly to Connecticut for the weekend festivities.”
“Festivities?”
Avril then nodded and stood. “Tonight, it’s a bachelor and bachelorette’s party that we’ll catch the end of. Tomorrow morning, breakfast. The afternoon, wedding, and there’s an all-night reception. We end with the goodbye brunch on Sunday and head back to our real lives.”
I was glad she remembered the details, though I should have guessed she would.
Abigail said, “Oh, I can’t wait for you two to get married. I don’t know if I’ve ever been to an event-type shindig.”
Avril’s face pinkened. “Abby, we’re not anywhere near that.”
“Well, let me hope you’re super happy, and let me dream about Dr. Hottie coming back.”
Avril stood and hugged her sister one more time.
“If you approved of the doctor’s plans, he’ll meet with you regularly,” I said. “I’ll fly him out, or I'll send you to him if I have to.”
Abby beamed at me. “You’d fly me to Switzerland?”
“Of course.”
Avril stood next to me as Abby said, “Seriously, Avril, this one’s a keeper.”
I wondered if maybe I wasn’t faking this so well with Avril because I wished it was all real. I stepped back to give them space. “We have to go.”
Abby waved at us. “Good luck, sis. Have fun this weekend.”
We left soon after. Neither of us said a word until we were at the elevator to head up. Avril hugged her waist. “My sister thinks we’re dating.”
“It’s what she’s supposed to believe, isn’t it?” Part of me was looking forward to kissing her again. We made it to the top, and I said, “No matter what, her entire treatment is paid for.”
As we exited to the helipad, she pressed her hand to my cheek and said, “You’re seriously sweet, Kir, which is why I’m the luckiest girl on the planet.”
Sweet wasn’t the word I needed to hear. “I don’t want you to ever experience the pain of losing a sibling. I’m here to help.”
She gazed at me as we stepped onto the helicopter. “You’re doing more than that. You’re impressive.”
As the doors closed, I said, “No, not really, but you make me want to impress you.”
She squeezed my arm. “I doubt there’s anything you can do that would impress me more.”
That felt like a challenge. If I did impress her, maybe she’d realize we didn’t have to fake anything.