Page 46 of Dark Awakening: New World

She didn't want to be responsible for breaking up an engagement, even indirectly.

Margo's brother and her parents would be devastated, or at least terribly embarrassed, if the wedding was canceled altogether after postponing the celebration twice. They probably couldn't get their money back at this point.

She couldn't imagine Rob's heartache at being cheated on by the woman he had been planning to spend the rest of his life with and then having to call his friends and extended family members to tell them that the wedding was off.

Perhaps it would be better for Rob and Lynda to go through with the wedding, even if it later ended in divorce. At least that way, the immediate pain and humiliation could be avoided.

No one made a big deal out of divorce anymore, and given what Jasmine had heard about Lynda so far, no one would be overly surprised either.

Still, Rob deserved to know the truth. The decision of whether to go through with the wedding or cancel it should be his.

29

ELL-ROM

Ell-rom stepped out of the bathroom and shuffled to one of the chairs while leaning heavily on his walker. Without Jasmine to observe him, he felt less pressured to perform.

He chuckled as he sat down. That's why he needed her around. Well, that and many other things. Like those sweet kisses earlier, her body pressed against his…

No, none of that.

At any moment, the door could open, and Gertrude would come in with his breakfast. He couldn't greet her with a tent forming in his loose blue pants.

Think of other things.

Like what?

His head was full of Jasmine, her smiling eyes, her soft lips, her alluring scent…

A knock at the door preceded its opening, and Julian entered carrying a tray.

"Good morning." The medic put the tray on the bedside table. "I hear that congratulations are in order. You managed the bathroom all by yourself today." He rolled the table to Ell-rom's chair and adjusted the height.

"Thank you. It felt good to regain some independence."

"I bet." Julian sat down on the other chair. "Do you mind if I join you for coffee?"

Ell-rom looked at the tray, confused by the question. "Am I allowed coffee?"

"Think of it as a reward for your bathroom achievement." Julian reached for a rounded container, and when he unscrewed the top, the rich aroma of coffee filled the small room.

"I love the smell," Ell-rom admitted. "I'm not sure about the taste, though. Jasmine let me take a sip from her cup, and I wasn't impressed. It smells better than it tastes."

Julian smiled knowingly. "Everyone takes their coffee differently. Jasmine likes cream and sugar in hers, or milk in the case of specialty coffees, but I have a feeling you will like it black." He poured a small quantity into a cup and handed it to Ell-rom. "Try it."

He took a small, experimental sip. "It's a little bitter, but I like the flavor." He took another sip and put the cup down. "Why is Bridget concerned about me drinking this beverage?"

"Coffee is a stimulant." Julian poured some into his own cup. "Some people are more sensitive to it than others, and coffee makes them jittery and affects their ability to fall asleep."

Ell-rom lifted the cup to his lips. "Then I should drink a lot of it. Maybe I'll be less sleepy."

"You need your sleep, and you need to eat. Both are important for your recovery."

It was a clear command to start eating, and Ell-rom obeyed, lifting the fork and spearing a lovely-looking piece of fruit with it. There was no name in Kra-ell for it, so if he asked Julian what it was, the translation device would just call it fruit.

He popped it into his mouth and nearly groaned with pleasure. It was sweet and tart at the same time, and the texture was soft but not too much so.

Julian smiled. "I'm glad you are enjoying the fruit."

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