5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Licia
Joey and I had planned to experiment with a new recipe she’d found on a food channel. She had called several times to remind me, knowing it was my day off. Joey could be insistent and unyielding when she set her mind on something.
The phone screen lit up once more. It was Joey calling again, barely ten minutes after her last call.
I answered with a groan. “Joey, did I wrong you in a past life? Why are you bugging me?”
“Aren’t you grateful to have me? I bring joy to your life,” Joey replied, her voice tinged with mock hurt.
“That’s a rather bold assumption. What’s up now?”
She was relentless. “Nothing much. Just calling my favorite person to remind her about our little date. It’s been a while since we hung out.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Joey. Didn’t you just call me with this same reminder? Or should I blacklist you so I can have some peace?”
“You know you wouldn’t dare blacklist me. Is there a limit to how many times I can call my best friend?” She enunciated each word with playful mock hurt.
“No ma’am. Actually, you’ve been legally authorized to end me,” I laughed, finally propping myself up on my elbows.
“Licia, please drag your languid self off that bed and come here quickly. I have something juicy to tell you.”
“How did you know I was still in bed?”
“I know you too well. Now, get moving. I need you here in forty-five minutes, not an hour.”
“Fine, I’ll be there in forty-five minutes. And don’t forget the white wine on your way.”
I smiled. “Alright, boss.”
I took a long, warm bath, letting the water ease the accumulated stress from my body. My mind wandered to Kevin and our recent encounter.
Part of me wanted to hear him out; the other part leaned towards completely shutting him out. What could he possibly say that would change anything? I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“Should I tell Joey about my meetings with Kevin and that I’m his nurse?” I pondered aloud, but quickly dismissed the idea. It wasn’t the right time to talk about it. I was not in the right frame of mind to talk about it. Besides, who knew when he’d run off again?
I pulled out a white crop top and black high-waist jeans, along with white sneakers from my wardrobe, and quickly got dressed.
I wasn’t one to spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, but I always made sure to check my appearance before heading out. My outfit was casual yet presentable—a reflection of my typical style for a relaxed day out.
As I prepared to leave, my phone buzzed with a new message from Joey: “Just a reminder—wine!”
I sighed and realized I’d almost forgotten. I made a quick detour to the store I had passed earlier, grabbed a bottle of Moscato, and drove to her condo.
Joey greeted me with an enthusiastic embrace as soon as I arrived.
“Is it just me, or are you overly excited about something?” I asked, noticing her giddiness. “Are we celebrating something I don’t know about?”
“Much better. I have news that will blow your mind,” she said, glancing at the wine bottle in my hand. “What wine did you get?”
“The first one I saw,” I replied dryly. “Can I come inside?”
“Oh, sorry. My bad. Please, come in.” She made room for me to pass through to her living room. Her condo was just as I remembered—stylish and welcoming.
She ushered me inside, her excitement palpable. I settled onto the couch, enjoying the plush comfort of Joey’s meticulously decorated space. It was one of the things I loved about her—her knack for making every space feel like home.
“I almost thought you’d never ask,” I teased.
Her laughter filled the room. “Come on, Licia. I’m not such a bad host.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
Joey waved off my remark with a grin. “Drop the wine on the table and help me in the kitchen.”
“But I just got here,” I protested, but Joey was already heading to the kitchen.
With a resigned sigh, I followed her.
Joey had an eye for aesthetics, evident in her kitchen. The cabinets formed an L-shape around the room, with a dining table in the center and wooden stools on either side.
The glass window stretched across one wall, letting in bright light and offering a lovely view. Joey was not only a real estate expert but also dabbled in interior décor. She had even helped set up my apartment.
The scent of spices and cooking filled the air as I donned the second apron from the kitchen hanger. “What are we making?” I asked, tying it behind me and grabbing some grapes from the fruit basket.
“We’re making gumbo and stir fry. First, chop the bell pepper, celery, green onions, and parsley. I’ll marinate the chicken and wash the rice,” she said, her focus already on preparing the chicken.
“All right. I can handle that,” I nodded, unpacking the groceries and setting up my station.
As we worked, we chatted about various topics—everything from work to recent movies we had seen. It was moments like these that I cherished—simple, carefree, and filled with laughter.
I hadn’t forgotten about the big news Joey alluded to earlier, but I had all day to spare, so I waited for her to tell me at her own time.
The gumbo turned out better than we expected for a first attempt. Joey set the table while I cleaned up the kitchen mess. The sound of clinking cutlery and murmured conversation filled the space, creating a cozy ambiance.
“I can’t believe how good this turned out,” Joey said, scooping a generous portion of gumbo onto our plates. “We should definitely try more recipes.”
“I agree,” I said, savoring the rich flavors. “We make a great team.”
Joey grinned, her eyes twinkling. “Well, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Now, let’s see what this wine has to offer.”
As we poured the wine, I noticed Joey’s excitement about the news she had mentioned earlier. Her eagerness was almost palpable, and I couldn’t help but wonder what she had to share.
“So, what’s the big news?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
Joey took a deep breath, her eyes shining with excitement.
“You won’t believe it. Kevin Brown is back in Half Moon Bay… for good.”
I couldn’t suppress the hiss that followed her statement. “And? What does that have to do with me?”
Joey seemed taken aback. “Aren’t you even a little curious? To see him… talk to him… get closure maybe?”
“Do you want the truth?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t freak out, but I’ve been Kevin’s home nurse for days now. Before that, I ran into him at the hospital.”
Joey’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait, you’ve been in contact with Kevin for over a week, and I’m just now hearing about it?” Her hurt was evident.
“Believe me, I didn’t mean to keep you in the dark. I didn’t want to think about him. Then things got more complicated when Dr. Shepherd assigned me as his home nurse. It’s been a nightmare.”
Joey was silent for a moment, processing the information. “That’s quite a coincidence. What are the odds Dr. Shepherd would pick you out of all the nurses?”
“If I’d asked to be reassigned, Dr. Shepherd wouldn’t listen,” I explained.
“Well, I’m still upset you didn’t tell me sooner. I thought I had news,” she said, her expression a mix of disappointment and concern.
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” she said, her face brightening with a new thought. “But here’s the kicker: Kevin’s looking to make major investments in real estate. We’re talking millions of dollars. I didn’t know he was that wealthy.”
“Good for him,” I said, though my tone was flat.
“Do you know how I found out? Take a wild guess.”
“Your company is handling it?” I guessed, not particularly interested.
She nodded eagerly. “And if this investment goes well, he’ll partner with us on more projects. This is just a test run.”
“I’m happy for you, Joey. Really.”
Joey’s expression shifted from excitement to concern. “So, has he said why he didn’t reach out to you all these years?”
“He tried apologizing and asked to talk, but I turned him down,” I said curtly.
“Why? Don’t you want closure at least?” She asked, her concern evident.
“I don’t know. I’m just not interested in whatever he has to say. He doesn’t owe me an explanation or a half-hearted apology.”
“Of course, he owes you an apology. You two were a thing. The whole town knew about it. It’s not something you can just dismiss like it’s no big deal,” Joey argued.
“I suppose it’s my way of coping… avoidance. It feels safer.”
“I beg to differ. How long can you avoid this, especially when you’re his caregiver?”
“I’m doing my best to keep my emotions separate from my obligations,” I said defensively, though I knew it wasn’t entirely true. I had to fake it until I made it.
Joey scrutinized my face. “That’s a big, fat lie.”
We fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of our conversation hanging between us. Joey’s concern was evident, but I was equally determined to keep my emotions at bay.
“Maybe you’re right,” I admitted finally, my voice softening. “Maybe I’m not handling this as well as I thought. But right now, I need to focus on my job and not let my personal feelings get in the way.”
Joey reached across the table, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Just remember, Licia, you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you, no matter what.”
“Thanks, Joey. I really appreciate it,” I said, feeling a swell of gratitude.
We spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. The tension from our earlier conversation eased, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the comfort of shared moments.
As I drove home later that night, I reflected on our discussion. Joey’s words echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anxiety and resolve about facing Kevin again.
Whatever the future held, I knew I had to confront my feelings and find a way to move forward—if not for Kevin, then for myself.