Oh my God, he made me an adulteress!
How can I tell anybody about this? I can’t!
“Tell anybody what?” Gia asks, stepping through the doorway. “You don’t have to tell anybody anything. I told you that,” she adds gently. “I’ll tell them for you.”
I suck in a breath, unable to give her the truth in this moment. “Thank you,” I reply with a sniffle. It’s just too humiliating to bring it up, especially since she’d warned me about him to begin with, and I ignored her advice. She and Logan will eventually find out about my naivety … from Luke.
“I mean it, Reese,” she says, a crease forming between her brows. “Give me your phone. I’ll take care it.” She holds out her hand, and I give it to her.
“If a man named Thomas calls, I need to talk to him. He may have some answers about my dad.” Blowing my nose for the umpteenth time, I climb out of bed and gather up the used tissues to throw them in the garbage.
“Got it,” she says, plopping down on my bed, facing me as I stand in the bathroom.
I check my appearance in the mirror. “Ugh. I look like I’ve been to hell and back.” My eyes are red and swollen, and my skin is blotchy. Walking back to my bed, I fall beside my friend. “When does this get easier?” Tears prick the backs of my eyes again. “He’s really gone. I have two days to plan a funeral.” Now I’m sobbing. “I don’t know what I’m doing.” Grabbing another tissue, I bring it up to my nose. “Where do I start? My mother hasn’t returned my calls … I’m so alone right now.”
Gia brings me into a hug, and now I’m crying on her shoulder. “Listen Reese.” Her voice is serious. “I’m here. Okay? We’re going to get through this. Together.” Pulling away, she makes me look at her. “Do you hear me?” Her brows shoot up, but I’m too busy crying to answer her. So I nod and cover my face.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you … really, I don’t,” I tell her.
Rubbing circles over my back with her palm, she says, “Lets get you something to eat. And maybe a shower.”
Both of us laugh at that.
“By the way, Sean came by to see you. I told him to come back in a couple hours.”
After showering and eating a half a bowl of chicken noodle soup, I climbed back into bed—eventually answering one of Pam’s calls, before handing my phone back to Gia. I knew she’d been worried about me, and I felt bad leaving her hanging any longer. Like Gia, she offered to help out with the funeral arrangements. I guess I’m not as alone as I thought. And for that, I am thankful.
I hear Sean’s voice coming from the hall, followed by footsteps and a knock. “Are you decent?”
I guess that would depend on his definition of decent. I give myself a quick onceover. “You can come in, Sean,” I answer, sitting up. Relief washes over me when the door opens and I see him—just now realizing how much I’ve missed him these past few days.
There’s worry all over his expression, as he makes his way to my side of the bed. “Is it okay if I sit?” He hesitates, and looks at me questioningly.
“Of course,” I say, patting the space beside me, then I reach out for a hug. He wraps his strong arms around me, and I can smell his Old Spice cologne.
“I’m sorry,” he says sincerely, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. “I came by a couple times, but Gia didn’t want me to bug you.”
“I told her to send away the visitors. I was a mess,” I murmur into his chest.
He squeezes me tighter. “I wish I could make it better somehow.” He’s scooted us back so we’re leaning against the headboard. “I know it hurts.”
“Can you stay for awhile?” I ask, licking my lips. “I’ll try not to cry. Promise.”
Chuckling softly, he replies, “You think crying would chase me away? Really?”
I pull back and look into his eyes. “No. You’d stay.”
I barely manage a grin. “You’re a good friend, Sean.”
“I know.”
“I hope I’m not keeping you from your work.” He works all the time, and I know it stresses him out when he falls behind. “You could get some things done over here if you need to. I won’t bug you.”
“Nah, I’m taking the night off. I’m all yours,” he tells me, getting comfortable. “Let’s just hope the boyfriend doesn’t get jealous.”
My stomach sinks, and I suck in a breath.
His head dips down to meet my gaze. “You’re not going to be in trouble if he catches me here, are you?”