“Oh, you noticed that, did you?” She laughs into the phone. “And where were you that you happened to notice that?”
“He asked me to lunch. Apparently, Carolyn is quitting and he’s looking to replace her. He said he’d been asking around and thought I might be interested in applying for the position.”
“Wow, what a terrific opportunity for you. I hope you told him you were interested.”
“Yes, of course—now back to my original question. Do you know if he’s still married?”
“Well, I did hear she left. A couple of months back. Something about her missing California and him not being home enough.”
“Interesting. Okay, thanks, Darlene.”
“Be careful with that one, Vivienne, he’s a real charmer.”
For a brief moment, I’m reminded of the list Rach and I made: My Ideal Man. I can’t help but think about how Rockhurst is fulfilling that list. But there’s my rule about not dating guys I work with. And even if that wasn’t a rule, there is one glaring shortfall when it comes to Joel Rockhurst. He’s not Danny.
After I hang up, I check my email and there, as promised, is the link to the job posting.
Chapter 16
The last few days have flown by and today was my formal interview for Mr. Rockhurst’s executive assistant position, which I’m confident I nailed. In fact, I feel so good about it that I decided to make myself a gourmet dinner of tangy honey-glazed chicken thighs with roasted peppers and zucchini to celebrate. Grabbing my oven mitts, I pull the chicken and vegetables from the oven; they look flavorful. The sweet and savoury aroma fills my apartment and I’m about to take my first delicious bite when Rach calls.
“Hey.”
“Hi. Guess what?”
“What?” I ask
“Luis and I put a deposit down on our wedding venue this morning.”
“Really? That’s great.”
“It is, but there’s still a lot to do, and I’m sure the next few months will fly by.”
“I hope I find a man before then. How many eligible bachelors are on the invite list? Luis got any sexy single cousins I don’t know about?”
Rach laughs. “Not any I’m aware of but, I’ll keep a lookout.”
“Sounds good.”
“By the way, Viv, I’m looking forward to this Saturday.”
“Yeah, me too. Almost everyone I invited has said they’re coming, except for Bonnie. It’s her aunt’s fiftieth birthday bash that night. She said she’d much rather be at your bridal shower, but her mother would never forgive her if she blew off her aunt’s party. Her mom’s been planning it forever.”
“That’s okay. There’ll be plenty of us gals there to party it up. I know you keep saying you have everything under control but are you sure I can’t come over early and help you get set up?”
“Nope. It’s your shower, no way I’m having you lift a finger. Just be here at twelve-thirty, ready to party.”
Rach laughs. “Okay, I can handle that. If you change your mind, I’ve got nothing else going on earlier in the day and am happy to help out. It’s not like it’s a surprise or anything.”
“I know that. But, as your maid of honour, it’s kinda my job to throw you a kickass shower. So, leave everything to me.”
“You’re the best. I gotta run, Luis is walking in the door. Chat later?”
“Sure. Tell Luis I said hi and remind him my place is off-limits to him Saturday afternoon.”
Normally, I would have jumped in and told her about how well my interview with Joel Rockhurst went, but my dinner is cooling off and it looks heavenly. I will update her later. The chicken doesn’t disappoint; it’s salty and sweet with a hint of ginger. Soooo good.
Before I can finish eating, my phone lights up and I almost fall out of my chair. It’s a text from Danny! I’m in such a rush to see what it says, I accidentally tip over my water glass, which spills over the side of the table onto my lap. I grab my napkin to slow down the rest of the water and snatch up my phone.
Hi, Viv. How r u?
Really, that’s all he has to say? No “sorry I haven’t been in touch?” He could have been dead for all I know. I take a deep breath and text back.
Good. You?
I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of knowing how desperately I’ve wanted to hear from him.
Good. It’s been busy, lots of work, long hrs.
I’ve thought about you often and I’ve wanted
to reach out, but I wanted to give you space.
Space 4 what?
To move on.
Oh.
And so, have you?
Have I what Danny? Moved on? Are you
asking if I’m seeing someone?
I guess I am. Though I’m not sure I’m ready
for the answer.
Well I’m not. I’ve been busy too. Things at
work, planning Rach’s shower etc.
I miss you Viv, a lot.
It’s exactly what I want to hear, but I don’t know how to respond. So I don’t. I put the phone down and grab some paper towels and start mopping up the water. My phone lights up again, and again. What do I say to him? I sit staring at my phone for what seems like forever, although it’s only been a couple of minutes.
I pick up my phone and read his texts.
Are u still there?
Viv?
Please respond.
I write:
I’m here. I miss you too Danny, I don’t
understand why you couldn’t have texted me
sooner. It would have been nice to know you
arrived safely. You could have at least
reached out to let me know that. It’s been
weeks without a single word.
The message pings back:
I know, I’m sorry. Leaving you was hard.
Harder than I expected. I think about you
every day. Things have been a bit crazy here
and we have to pick up and move camp. I
don’t know if I’ll have service where we are
going, and I wanted to get a message to you
in case I don’t have the opportunity again for
a while.
Moving camp? Why?
There’s been a lot of violence in the area and
the company I’m working with wants to move
us before there is any more escalation.
That doesn’t sound good.
I’m sure it will be fine. Moving us is a
precaution. I have to go now. They are getting
ready to roll out. I just needed you to know I
haven’t forgotten about you.
Please be safe, Danny.
Yep.
I’m glad you texted me. I miss you. Please
don’t go so long before I hear from you again.
I’ll try. Viv—I love you.
And that is the last text I receive. I want to say I love you back, but my fingers freeze.
As I sit here looking at the sopping wet paper towels and what remains of my dinner, now cold and unappealing, I’m unsure of what to think. Maybe Danny only reached out because the situation in Saudi is tenuous? Is that what is driving his emotions? Has he really thought about me every day? I want to believe he meant what he said, but if he has thought about me every day, if he does love me, why would he have waited so long to reach out?
I clean up the kitchen and get ready for bed. Thoughts of Danny and me swirl around in my head. And I crave him all over again. Stretching out on my bed, I close my eyes. Within minutes, I drift off to the only place I want to be, in his arms.
His lips are warm and sweet and his breath intoxicating as he circles my mouth with his. My head sways back and forth. I close my eyes and caress his head with my hands as if doing so will somehow ensure he won’t pull away. Everything else around us fades, it’s only us. I slide my fingers through his hair; my God, he has exquisite hair. He moans in approval as I tug and twist his locks between my f
ingertips.
Gently biting down on my bottom lip, he holds it between his teeth, but only for a moment before he slowly releases, teasing me. He pulls me closer to him; our bodies melt together as his strong hands gently glide over my shoulders and down my back. His kisses move to my neck, his teeth tugging on my earlobe as he blows into my ear. He unzips my dress with one hand while clutching my thigh with the other. This is so unlike me, letting him take the lead like this, but I’m thoroughly enjoying every second of it. My whole body is tingling.
Noooooo, the noise of my alarm jolts me back to reality. Damn it! I check the time: six-thirty a.m. How is it that a dream that felt like a few minutes took the whole damn night? I grab my phone off the nightstand. I need to confirm those messages with Danny last night were real and not an earlier part of my dream. There they are: I’ll try. Viv—I love you.
His words sink in, and just like that, I’m pulled back into his vortex and my head is spinning. I’d been doing so well putting him out of my mind lately, trying to move on. Could it be I’ve underestimated the power he still has over me?
It’s the night before Rach’s bridal shower and I’m up late icing the little sugar cookies I made for tomorrow. I’ve already cut up all the veggies for the vegetable platter, made the salads, the tiny sandwiches and pulled together a four-layer nacho dip Rach loves and some spinach dip for the pumpernickel loaves I made earlier today. Most of the apartment is already decorated; all I need to do in the morning is make the punch. Feeling rather satisfied with all I’ve managed to accomplish, I turn out the lights and head to bed.
By noon the next day my apartment is buzzing with conversation and laughter as Rach’s family and friends await her arrival. Twelve-thirty comes and goes, and there is no sign of Rach.
About ten minutes later, her mom, Lucca, asks, “What time did you tell Rachel to be here?”
“Twelve-thirty. She must be running a little late,” I respond.
“You’d think she’d be on time for her own party,” Lucca says.
It’s after one o’clock and I suggest a game of bra pong to occupy ourselves until Rach arrives. But honestly, I’m worried so I slip into my bedroom and call her. My call goes straight to voicemail. She must be driving—that’s good, I tell myself, she’ll be here any minute. I return to the living room and occupy myself by setting out a few more snacks and topping up the punch bowl with ice.
Two o’clock passes and the chatter has cooled. Everyone is wondering where the guest of honour is. A couple of people are texting on their cell phones, trying to reach her. Her mom’s face is expressionless as she looks around the room and goes to stand by the window. I pick up my phone and try to reach Rach, again. This time I don’t hide in my room. Voicemail. This is so unlike her.
Then her aunt Maria says. “I’ve got her.”
I turn off the music and we wait in silence for her aunt to update us. Maria’s eyes are wide and she’s shaking her head from side to side. She sits down on the couch with her cell phone glued to her ear and says, “Okay, I’ll tell them. Yes, I understand—No one would expect you to—Yes, yes, okay—No, don’t worry about that now. I love you.” She puts the phone down and looks at all our faces staring at her.
“Well!” says Lucca. “Where is she?”
Maria proceeds to tell us all that Luis had been in a terrible car accident and Rach received the call as she was leaving to come here. “She was frantic and she’s sorry she didn’t think to call you, Vivienne. She wanted to get to the hospital to be with Luis. They have taken him into surgery and she’s staying put until he comes out. I told her that none of us would expect her to be anywhere else right now and she shouldn’t worry about that.” She takes a breath, puts her phone in her purse, and stands. “Lucca, come on. I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
“Yes, you go. Rach will want you there. I’ll put a few things away and head over too,” I tell her mom.
“I’m going too,” says one of her cousins. Followed by, “Me too” from someone else. Before I know it, about a dozen people are grabbing their things and running out the door. A couple of Rach’s friends from work stay back and help me put the food away before they too grab their things and head out. I’m relieved that no one has lingered since I want to get over to the hospital myself and be there for Rach.
As soon as I walk through the emergency room doors, I see them—but not before I hear them. Rach’s family doesn’t have volume control; it’s either loud or louder. They are all talking over one another, trying to figure out what is going on and whether or not Luis is out of surgery. Of course, the hospital staff isn’t willing to give out any information, as none of them are family to Luis. One nurse calmly tries to explain how everyone needs to go out of the emergency room and back in through the main hospital doors.
I walk up to the courter, smile, and nod at her. “Thank you,” I say, and wave my hand towards the door. “Come on, we’ve gotta go find Rach. She’ll know what’s going on with Luis.”
Everyone follows me out through the huge sliding doors of the emergency room, around the corner of the building, and back in through the main hospital entrance.
I pause for a minute in the lobby and text Rach, hoping she’s holding her phone close.
U doing OK? I’m here at the hospital with
your mom, aunt, etc.
Omg, yes. 3rd floor waiting room!
OK, on our way.
“Let’s go. She’s on the third floor,” I say, making my way to the elevators.
We all pile in. The second the doors open on the third floor, Lucca bolts out and heads straight for the waiting room with the rest of us just steps behind. Rach sees her mom and runs straight into her arms.
“Oh, thank you all for coming. The waiting is hell.”
“We’re here now,” says Lucca.
Rach looks up and sees me.“Viv, I’m so sorry about the shower.”
“Don’t give it another thought. How’s Luis? Any word from the doctors yet?”
“No, he’s still in surgery. I was told to stay here and that as soon as he’s out, the doctor will come and speak to me.”
“Okay. Can I get you anything? Are you hungry? Do you want a coffee?”
“I’m not hungry, but coffee does sound good.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back. Anyone else for coffee?” I ask as I look around the room. Everyone shakes their heads. “Okay, one coffee it is.”
I barely get the coffee into Rach’s hands when a doctor comes through the door and walks straight towards us. “Are you Luis’s family?” he asks.
Rach stands up.“Yes, how is he?”
“His brain was swelling rapidly from the impact he sustained, so it was necessary to remove a small piece of his scalp to make room. We also inserted a drain tube which will remain in place for the next day or two. This will help ensure the pressure doesn’t build up again. Controlling this swelling is my main concern. And the next several hours are the most critical. He also had some broken ribs, a fractured left arm, and cracked pelvis. Paramedics told us his left leg was pinned in the crash, and while it wasn’t broken, it did need to be stitched up. There were some deep lacerations likely caused by sharp metal under the dashboard. You should expect bruising on his face and limbs to intensify in the next day or two. I will be checking on him regularly and we should know more in a few hours. Right now, all we can do is wait. He’s lucky to be alive.”
Rach nods. “When can I see him?”
“As soon as we get him moved from the recovery room to a patient room, but only one visitor at a time and please keep those visits brief. He’s still unconscious from the surgery. And he won’t be moved for at least an hour or two. So, if you want to go get something to eat and come back, you have some time.” With that, he turns and walks away.
Rach sits back down. “Thank God he made it through surgery. I thought I’d lost him.” Tears slide down her cheeks. Her mom sits beside her, stroking her back and shoulders without speaking a word.
> Over an hour passes before they get Luis settled into a patient room, so I decide to run home and grab some of the sandwiches and snacks I made for the shower and bring them back here for everyone. I have a feeling we are in for a long night, and I am right. Even though Rach gets to go in and see Luis, he remains unconscious for the rest of the evening. The nurses reassure Rach this is normal after a brain trauma, and being unconscious is more healing for his brain. But each time she goes into his room, I know all she wants is for him to open his eyes.
After eight o’clock, visiting hours are over, and even though Rach is told she can’t visit Luis’s room again until the morning, she refuses to leave the hospital. I tell her mom I will stay with her so Lucca and the rest of Rach’s family can go home and get some rest.
A little while later, a slender brunette in a volunteer uniform brings us a couple of pillows and blankets and we set up in the waiting room for the night. The nurses know there is no chance Rach is leaving; they don’t even try to argue with her.
“Thank you, V, for staying with me; for the food, the coffee, for everything.”
“Of course, that’s what best friends do. I’m here as long as you need me.”
I’m not sure when I dozed off, but when I wake up, I’m alone. It’s about five in the morning and I suspect Rach has been allowed back in to see Luis. I fold up the blankets we’ve used and I’m piling them and our two pillows into a chair when Rach walks back in the room.
Our Forever Crazy Love: Contemporary Romance Page 13