Chapter Thirty #2
As though sensing it, Janine tried to reassure me. “Don’t worry. Robin will keep you busy, and you can call me any time. My schedule is pretty full during the day, but we can get together some evenings to keep each other company.”
I smiled. “That would be nice. I’m so grateful to you and Kim for dealing with Robin. How do I get him back? I’m happy to drive to your friend’s place tomorrow.”
“I’ll talk to her and text you. Here we are, just pull over there.” She pointed to the curb.
I took my first look at Sebastian’s childhood home. It was a pretty, white building, with neat flowerbeds and a well-manicured lawn. The street was well lit, although most of the windows were dark at this late hour.
As I stopped the car, Janine grabbed her massive purse and opened the door.
“Thanks for the ride, Jesse. Will you be okay getting home? Do you want to spend the night here? Sebastian’s room is still untouched—posters of semi-nude women included.”
I considered her offer. My first instinct was to say no, but the thought was tempting.
A look into teenage Sebastian’s life would be an interesting experience.
However, now was not the time. I needed to go home, to Sebastian’s apartment, sleep in his bed, between his sheets, holding his pillow.
At the end of this overwhelming day, I needed time with my own thoughts, and the memories we’d built together.
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. I’ll take you up on that offer soon enough, I promise.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Call me if you need anything. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I sat for a moment, watching her until she entered the house.
When she climbed out of the car, Janine had let in a blast of air, hot even at this hour of the night.
I cranked up the AC and lowered the temperature to clear my head.
I drove with the music blasting, fantasizing about hot coffee, cold shower, clean sheets, and the day Sebastian would be back home.
Had he been serious about his proposal? I thought he might be, but I was too exhausted to speculate. Married or not, I just wanted to be with him.
Sebastian had given me a key to his apartment only days after we’d started dating.
I hadn’t been as quick to give him free access to my place, and he’d never asked.
He’d always waited for me to be ready, patient and constant—an incredible presence in my life that I’d appreciated only when I thought I’d lost it.
As I unlocked Sebastian’s apartment and stepped inside, I promised myself I’d never take him for granted. The air was soothing, pleasant, smelling of his aftershave and this morning’s cinnamon toast. I couldn’t believe so much had happened since. The place was empty without Sebastian and Robin.
I walked into the bathroom, stripped off my clothes, and turned on the shower.
I checked the shower head to make sure it was secure.
I remembered the watery fiasco from only a few days ago.
It was strange how time flew when one was happy.
Sebastian, Robin, and I had turned into a family so quickly, so naturally. We were simply right together.
I showered, toweled off, and crawled into bed.
I whimpered as my tired body relaxed on the cool, comfortable mattress.
I reached across the bed, my heart tightening at the cold, empty space beside me.
But Sebastian was going to be okay. I repeated the words like a mantra, desperate to comfort myself until my lover would be back in my arms.
* * *
The phone woke me up next morning. It was Janine.
“Hello.” My voice was raspy, my throat dry.
“Hi, sleepyhead. You’re not awake yet?”
“I don’t know. What time is it?”
“Half past ten. I’m on my way over with Robin.”
I jerked upright. The last thing I wanted was for my future sister-in-law to think I was a slob.
“Oh, crap, I overslept. I’m so sorry, Janine—”
“Shut up, you deserved the rest.”
I heard the radio in the background.
“I only got up because I had to go to the office early,” she continued. “You didn’t have to be anywhere today, right?”
“Not anymore,” I muttered, recalling the Ben fiasco. “I need to drive to Staten Island to get my stuff, unless Mr. McFarlane had it thrown out or set on fire.”
“He’s done neither. In fact, your tools and supplies should be delivered to your store soon, and the money he owes you will be in your account by the end of the day.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Janine sounded smug. “I sent him a formal letter this morning, explaining that we were considering filing charges for sexual harassment, and that we would reconsider if he returned your things and paid what he owes. Within the hour, I got a conciliatory letter from his lawyer, assuring me all our demands would be met promptly.”
“You’re a genius,” I whispered in awe. “Thank you, Janine. I owe you big time.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I owe you my little brother’s life, and that’s a debt I’ll never be able to repay.”
“There’s nothing to repay. I would do anything for Sebastian. Speaking of which, any news?”
“I called the hospital this morning. He’s okay. Resting. I hope to see him this afternoon.”
I lowered my feet to the floor. “I’ll go see him now. How long until you get here?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
“Then I’ll shower. You can let yourself in. Thank you.”
I set down the phone. I couldn’t believe my luck. I’d dreaded confronting Ben today—not because I was a coward, but after yesterday, my inner warrior was under the weather. It turned out I had a badass lawyer who’d stood up for me in the most awesome fashion.
I showered quickly, trying to tame my intense yearning to see Sebastian and make sure he was truly alright.
In the clear light of day, I realized he had serious recovery time ahead, which meant physiotherapy and inevitable fights when he overdid things.
I would become the vigilant harpy, always saying no, and nagging him to rest. I was thinking like a wife already.
Rolling my eyes, I switched off the water and grabbed a towel. I heard keys in the front door.
“We’re here!” Janine called.
“Be out in a minute!”
I donned my pajamas and rushed out. Janine had set a pink cat carrier on the floor and was opening the door for Robin. The kitten walked out cautiously, then when he saw me, rushed into my open arms on his chubby little legs.
“Hi, baby,” I cooed. “I’m so sorry you had to go away. Auntie Janine took good care of you, didn’t she?”
I cradled him to my chest, whispering like an idiot under Janine’s indulgent smile.
“Thank you so much for everything, Janine. You’re simply amazing. Listen, I want to pay for the letter and all the legal stuff—”
“Please don’t piss me off first thing in the morning.” Janine bent to close the carrier. “All I did was write a letter you could have done yourself using AI, so let’s drop it. I’m glad McFarlane gave in so quickly, but I’m furious he’s getting away so easily.”
“I know.” I set Robin down. “I keep thinking he might do this to someone else, something worse. Although it sounds like you put the fear of God into him.”
“Maybe not the fear of God, but it may make him think twice before he tries to force himself on a woman again.”
“Yeah. It’s the best we can do. Can I get you some coffee?”
She shook her head. “I have to go. Busy day.”
“I’m going to see Sebastian.”
“Text me how he is.”
I smiled. “Okay. Thanks again.”
“You’re most welcome.”
For the first time, I saw a resemblance between her and Sebastian, a trace of the charisma he exuded everywhere. As a lawyer in what was still very much a man’s world, Janine probably kept a tight lid on hers.
I closed the door behind her, then filled Robin’s bowl with water and opened a can of moist cat food. I held my breath, since the stuff smelled disgusting, but Robin looked ecstatic as he lapped it up. I left him to it, going to put on makeup and get dressed.
I was surprised by how many clothes I had in Sebastian’s apartment. It was as if I lived here already. I wondered how things would work if we got married. Where would we live? Did Sebastian want children? We’d never discussed that. How could we be thinking about marriage?
I realized I was freaking out when I caught myself drowning my fingertips in foundation.
“Shit.”
I wiped off my hands and ordered myself to get a grip.
I was getting way ahead of myself. Sebastian might not even remember our discussion—he’d been drugged and concussed at the time.
Besides, I needed time to think too. If we did decide to get married, we’d have to make plans and discuss everything properly. There was no hurry.
Robin wandered in, sides bulging, eyelids droopy. I suspected he would pass out at any time. After a few minutes of chin scratching, he jumped off my lap, shook himself, and went toward the window, plopping down in a slice of sunlight.
I pulled on jeans and a stylish blue top with Happy Soul sewn on the front in sparkly thread.
I wanted to look beautiful and optimistic for Sebastian.
I swiped extra blusher onto my pale cheeks, brushed my fingers through my hair, and grabbed my phone and keys.
My purse was still at Ben’s. I was in awe of Janine’s gesture.
As I drove to the hospital, I wondered what I could take to Sebastian. I didn’t know what he could eat after surgery, so I didn’t dare buy food. I stopped for coffee and a donut for myself, and settled on a bouquet of assorted flowers for him.
I’d never bought a man flowers before, but it seemed right, and I didn’t feel silly as I walked into the ICU with the large bouquet.