After I exercised, I’d spent time in the Word—another discipline I was working on.
Last Sunday, Pastor Steve suggested reading a small book of the Bible each day for thirty days as a way to grow more familiar with it. He said it would only take about fifteen to twenty minutes with a book like Philippians, but by the end of the thirty days, different verses and passages would pop out and become easier to understand. I decided to give it a try, and so far, it was going well.
I always got stuck on Philippians 2:3-9, not because I didn’t comprehend it, but because it seemed difficult to implement in my life, considering my past choices. I pulled it up on my phone and read it for the third time today.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Pastor Steve had taught on that passage a while ago, and it convicted me then just like it convicted me now.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I thought of Maya once again. Yesterday George had relayed that she went home sick, so I was concerned. I called and texted but she didn’t answer, so I’d contacted Charlotte and told her what happened. She had already attempted to call her, but she made more attempts to reach her after that. All we’d gotten was radio silence. When Maya finally texted back this morning, I breathed a sigh of relief.
It was disappointing that yesterday hadn’t gone as I’d planned. I’d strategized a way to ask Maya to be my girlfriend and had even hired a party planner to decorate a garden venue in L.A. that I was able to secure for a few hours. The planner had decorations and flowers for the table, and she arranged for catering from a local restaurant.
I’d sent Maya a text inviting her to that dinner, but she hadn’t responded. I understood now that the reason she didn’t get back to me was because the text had been delayed. By the time I called to find out why she didn’t reply, she’d already gone home and wasn’t answering.
I blew out a breath and got back to work. The day was going by slowly, and I was anxious to see Maya. When lunch rolled around, I chose to eat in my office so I could leave early to bring her soup. At two-thirty, my phone rang, and the caller I.D. said it was Charlotte.
“Hey, sis, what’s up?”
“I just got a call from Maya’s mom. Maya is in the emergency room.”
I sat up straighter, my body going on full alert. “What? I didn’t realize she was that sick.”
“It’s probably the flu, but because of the issues with her kidneys, they want to make sure nothing else is happening.”
I stood and gathered my things to leave. “She just told me about her kidney issues recently. What hospital is she at? I’m leaving now.”
“Whoa…hold on, buddy.” She let out a nervous laugh ending in a cough. “Her mom called so I would pray. She didn’t say they wanted visitors. Besides, you know how it is at the E.R. They don’t have much room for additional people.”
“But I can’t just stand here and do nothing. What hospital is she at?”
She chuckled as if she’d known that would be my answer. “In a fight-or-flight situation, you’ve always been a fighter. I know this is hard, but it won’t help Maya to have people crowding the E.R. We need to be patient and wait until she gives us more information.”
Forget that. I had no intention of waiting. What if she needed my help? “Charlotte, just tell me what hospital she’s at.”
A beat passed, and I could almost hear the smile in her voice. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t take my wait-and-see speech to heart, which is why I’m outside in front of your building. Come down and we’ll go to the hospital together.”
That was all I needed to hear. I stopped by Verity’s office briefly to tell her I was leaving for the day and wouldn’t be back and then took the elevator down and met Charlotte at the curb. I got in the car and glanced at her.
“Hey.”
Her eyes widened as she took me in. “Relax, big bro. It’s probably just the flu.”
“I know but I need to be there.” I gestured for her to drive forward, and once she did, I let out a breath and couldn’t shake the sensation that something wasn’t right. I could feel it. Call it a gut instinct, or maybe the pieces of a puzzle were finally starting to come together, but I knew Maya didn’t just have a case of the flu. I had no way of knowing the future, but I’d felt off all day, and it was making me nervous.
When we arrived at the hospital, we parked and then Charlotte got a call from Maya’s mother. After talking for a while, Charlotte sucked in a breath. “The doctor admitted her? Wow, they must have thought it was serious.”
I could hear the voice on the other end of the line, but I couldn’t understand what Maya’s mother was saying.
“Is she okay to have visitors?” Charlotte asked. “Easton and I are here in the parking lot.” She chuckled. “Yeah, we came just in case.” She scribbled information on a piece of paper and then ended the call. Glancing at me, she bit down on her bottom lip and unbuckled her seat belt, appearing concerned. A crease formed at her forehead. “Turns out it wasn’t the flu. It’s her kidneys, and they admitted her in the hospital until she stabilizes.”
“I had a feeling.” My stomach clenched, and there was this ache in my ribs that wouldn’t go away. Why, Lord? Why are you allowing this? Maya and I finally had a fighting chance and now this.
“She’s on the fourth floor in room one-twenty-three. Mrs. Anderson said she’s allowed to have visitors.”
I nodded, and we got out of the car and headed into the hospital, checking in at the visitor’s center first. The attendant behind the desk gave us visitor badges to wear and then we took the elevator, neither of us saying anything the entire way up. I sensed Charlotte’s anxiety, and it mirrored my own.
Science had never been my forte, so I didn’t know much about kidney failure, but I knew enough to understand this was a serious situation, and if Maya didn’t get the help she needed, I shuddered to think what might happen.
Charlotte seemed to sense where my thoughts were going because she placed a hand on my arm. “Hey…she’ll be fine.”
I pressed my lips together and glanced away, not willing to look her in the eye lest she see how much this was upsetting me. “Yeah, I hope so.”
The elevator opened on the fourth floor, and we exited, turning right. We followed an arrow that pointed in the direction of the room we were looking for, and we found it past the nurses’ station a few minutes later. I pushed the door open and stepped back to let Charlotte go in before me. The room had a sterile scent, and I glanced over to find Maya lying in the hospital bed, a stoic expression on her face while her mom adjusted the covers. Maya looked pale and weak, but it was the sadness in her eyes that caught my attention. She was hurting…and not just physically.
Mrs. Anderson glanced at Charlotte and smiled gratefully. “You came.” Her gaze landed on me, and there was a flicker of surprise there as if she didn’t understand why I was there, but she still seemed pleased. “Easton. Thank you for coming as well. How kind of you to take a few minutes out of your day. I know you must be busy.”
I glanced at Maya and winked, wanting to lift her spirits, and then turned back to her mother. “Nothing could keep me away.”
Mrs. Anderson brightened. “Pull up a chair. Both of you.” She glanced at Maya, a silent question in her eyes. It seemed Maya hadn’t said anything about me to her mother, and I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
Charlotte and I lifted chairs and set them down next to the bed, but I sat closest to Maya. “How are you feeling?” I reached over and took her hand, grasping it firmly in
my own.
Maya flushed but didn’t pull her hand away, and there was a small smile tugging at her lips. Mrs. Anderson cleared her throat, one eyebrow lifting in surprise at our hand-holding. She and I had met on several occasions over the years since Maya and Charlotte were friends, but we had never talked much. Holding her daughter’s hand without explaining how much she meant to me was probably not the best way to make a good impression, but I needed to hold Maya’s hand. Perhaps it comforted me more than it did her.
“You want to know how I’m feeling?” Maya asked. “I’m surviving.” She laughed as if she’d just made a joke, but I didn’t find it funny.
I leaned in and met her gaze. “What can I do? Do you want a better room? I can make that happen. Give me a task.”
Maya smiled as if genuinely amused. “That’s not necessary, Easton. I’m fine with this room.”
“I’m sure we can find you one with a better view. I can—”
“No, it’s fine. Really.”
Charlotte and Mrs. Anderson exchanged a knowing look as if my behavior was out of the norm and they suspected something was up.
“Who is your doctor?” I asked. “Let me put in a call. Get you the best.”
“Easton, it’s okay,” Maya said, looking as if she were about to laugh. “I’m getting good care.”
“But is it top notch?”
The corners of Maya’s mouth tilted up again. “Relax. I don’t plan on dying in the next ten minutes.”
I felt the blood drain from my face, and I scowled at her, not caring for the playful way in which she was pretending this was no big deal. “That wasn’t funny.”
“You should see your face. It was a joke, Easton. Lighten up.”
“How can I lighten up when you’re in the hospital?”
“Hey, it’s my turn.” Charlotte reached over and took Maya’s other hand since I refused to relinquish the one I was holding. “You’re putting on a brave face, but how are you really doing?”
Maya’s expression fell, but she shrugged it off. “I’m fine.”
“This isn’t an easy situation,” Mrs. Anderson said. She turned to Charlotte suddenly as if a thought had just occurred to her. “Charlotte, honey, I’m starving. Do you mind going with me to the cafeteria for a little while? I’m sure Easton would keep Maya company while we’re gone.” She glanced at me with a gleam in her eye, and I started to get the sense that she wanted to leave the two of us alone. I winked to let her know I was completely on board with that plan.
“I do declare, Mr. Radcliffe,” she said with a fake southern accent. “You are a charmer. I expect you to be on your best behavior with my daughter.”
Maya’s mouth dropped open, and she glared at her mother as if she’d just thrown her under the bus. “Mom…he’s my boss, for goodness’ sake.”
Mrs. Anderson looked as if she was ready to say something else when Charlotte cut in. “Not a problem. I’d love to go with you to the cafeteria.” She grinned at Maya and stood to her feet. “We won’t be long.”
Maya blushed and glanced away, clearly embarrassed by her mother’s actions, but I was thankful for the opportunity for us to be alone.
Once they left, she met my gaze for a moment and then averted her eyes. “Sorry, I think Mom has the wrong idea about us. I’ll clear up the misunderstanding when she gets back.”
“What misunderstanding? I don’t follow.” I did, but I wanted to hear it from her.
“She thinks you’re interested in me, but we both know we’re just—”
“Friends,” I said, cutting in.
“Yeah.” She glanced down, a worry line at her forehead deepening.
“About that…” Wanting to be closer, I scooted my chair so that it was nearer to the bed. “I don’t want to be only friends anymore.” Her gaze shot up to mine, and there was so much surprise there I was a little taken aback. “Surely, you saw this coming?”
“Saw what coming?”
She didn’t know? Had I read her all wrong? I hesitated, wanting to make this moment special despite the horrible circumstances, but I also didn’t want to put pressure on her if she wasn’t ready for a relationship. She schooled her features so that her expression was blank, but I sensed the emotion emanating from her. I squeezed her hand and paused, making eye contact. “Me…falling in love with you.”
She quickly inhaled a breath and pulled her hand away, appearing almost distressed. “Please don’t tell me what you imagine I want to hear because I’m sick. It doesn’t help the situation.”
“Are you kidding me?” I laughed incredulously. “You think I would pretend to feel something I don’t?”
She studied me then, hope flickering in her eyes. “I’m not sure.”
“Maya, I love you,” I said firmly. “And it didn’t take long for that to happen. All it took was a little time together.” My eyes moistened, and my throat thickened, causing my voice to become raspy. “I had this whole plan to tell you over dinner. Even hired a party planner to decorate a garden venue in L.A. There was going to be candlelight and flowers and ambiance. You should have seen the table. There were rose petals all over it and—”
“Wait. The party planner… Was that the woman with the long black hair?”
I frowned. “You saw her? I was trying to keep it a secret.”
“I didn’t, but Verity told me she thought you were on a date with her. Everyone was talking about it in the break room. They said if you weren’t dating her, you would be very soon.”
I scowled, irritated that people had been talking about me, and that Maya had gotten the wrong impression. “That’s crazy. First of all, I didn’t even look twice at her in that way, and second, she’s happily married. Did Verity miss the wedding band on her left hand?”
Maya’s eyebrows flew up, and she laughed as if this information was unexpected. “Apparently so.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “But Verity said she was looking at you like she was interested.”
I grit my teeth, frustration filling me. “I don’t know what to say about that, but it wasn’t the impression I got. She talked about her husband quite a bit.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you. Believe me, I wanted to think the best, but for a moment, I thought maybe…”
“You thought I was being a playboy based on my relationships in the past.”
“I didn’t want to believe that, but, yeah, I guess I did.”
I cleared my throat, wanting so badly to clear this up. “There’s only one woman that I want, and she’s right here in front of me. I hope she knows…” My voice broke. “That I would do anything for her.”
Relief and happiness and joy washed over Maya’s features as my words sunk in. “I love you too.” Tears welled up in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks so quickly it was as if she’d tried to hold them back for too long and they were demanding to be free. “Please forgive me for doubting you even for a second.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I’m just glad we were able to get everything out on the table.” I stood and used my thumbs to wipe away the tears, and then I gently leaned over and kissed one side of her face and then the other. I placed my hands on her cheeks and brushed my lips over hers and then rested our foreheads against each other. “It’s killing me that you’re in this hospital bed. I wish I could do something.”
She laughed, and I could hear the relief in her voice. “Happiness is the best medicine, right?”
I smiled and planted another kiss on her cheek. “Let’s hope so.”
Chapter 23
Maya
I was so elated that Easton told me he loved me that it made the last few hours in the E.R., and the news I’d received seem worth it. Despite all the problems with my health, I had to take a moment to savor what was happening. I was in love with Easton, and he loved me back. No unrequited love here. It was almost surreal, considering I thought Easton didn’t return my feelings.
It had been at least twenty minutes since Mom and Charlotte had left, and all I want
ed was to focus on this moment. I wanted to forget what my future held. What the doctor said was inevitable.
“So, does this mean you’re my girlfriend now?” Easton asked, taking my hand again.
A “yes” was on the tip of my tongue, but before I could answer, Mom and Charlotte walked into the room, and they both brightened when they saw my face. It must have been obvious how happy I was.
“Look at this,” Mom said, cheerfully, her face lighting up. “Her smile is back, and all it took was a handsome gentleman to brighten her day.”
I laughed, not minding how cheesy that sounded. “You’re right.”
Mom glanced at Easton and smiled. “Thank you for putting the light back in her eyes.”
Easton chuckled and nodded. “It’s my pleasure.”
Charlotte stood at the foot of the bed, grinning. She glanced from me to Easton and back to me. “Did you miss us?” She snickered as if knowing how much the time alone had meant to Easton and me, and that we hadn’t missed them at all.
Well, I cared about both of them and wanted them here with me, so it wasn’t like I didn’t want them around. I was just thankful they’d given us a few moments to talk.
I smiled back at her. “Of course.”
When no one was looking, Charlotte wiggled her eyebrows as if to say she didn’t believe me, and I smothered a smile.
“I hope you don’t mind that I’m asking,” Easton said, “But what are the next steps? What treatment do you need?”
I let out a breath, and a sick feeling washed through me at the mention of treatment. “The doctor said I need a kidney transplant, and I have to start dialysis in the meantime.” Dread filled me at the thought of all I would have to endure in the following months, but I knew the Lord would be with me, and I had to be strong. It wasn’t as if all this was a surprise. I’d known this was coming for a very long time.
Easton ran a hand through his thick hair and frowned. “A kidney transplant. Does that mean you have to get on a list?”
Blind Date with my Billionaire Boss (Blind Date Disasters Book 5) Page 19