Page 82 of Keeping London (Flawed Heart)

“With my parents. I’ll buy another house someday, but right now, it’s best for me to just stay with them. They’re only a fifteen-minute drive away from the hospital, and it’s nice not to be alone.”

“I get that. I can’t believe you’re not going to live there anymore though.”

“I know. It sucks, but…” Her voice trails off.

“Yeah…” Sometimes, there’s really nothing to say.

We finish up our lunch with only a semi-awkward conversation. Not that talking to Maggie is uncomfortable. But there’s just so much we can say without causing pain to the other.

When I get back home, I open my laptop to write Loïc an email. I’m not surprised that he’s not online or that he hasn’t written me back. Sometimes, I feel like I’m in a relationship with myself. Part of me thinks I’m in some sort of denial—of what, I’m not sure.

I’m going to do what Maggie suggested and give him time. I love him enough to understand that he can’t speak to me right now, for whatever reason. And, even though that hurts, I have to realize that he’s going through something incredibly painful, and he is handling it the best he can.

I love him enough to be here when he comes back to me. And he will. He will come back to me.

London

“There are so many variables, most of which are unknowns. The only thing I can do is cling on to what I hold as a truth, and that’s my love for Loïc.”

—London Wright

“Honey, I’m home!” Paige calls from the back door.

“Hey, love!” I greet her from the couch where I’ve spent most of the day writing. “How was work?”

“Oh, great! Remember the big promotion with the online travel site?”

“Yeah, the one where they are giving away a one-thousand dollar trip voucher each day?” I recall Paige talking about it a few months ago and how bummed she was that the bitch of the office, Stephanie, got the account.

“Yes! That one. Well, Stephanie totally dropped the ball, and we almost lost the client!” she squeals, clapping her hands together.

“Uh, this is a good thing?”

“Yes, because they kicked her brown-nosing whore ass off the account and made me the new project manager! Eek!” she shrieks.

“Oh, yay!” I join in her enthusiasm.

“I know! I’m so excited. It’s going to be a lot of work to clean up her mess, but if I do a great job, I’ll really show my bosses what I’m capable of.”

“You totally got this!”

“I know I do!” she cheers. “We totally need to celebrate! Do you feel like getting dressed today?” She quirks an eyebrow up as she eyes my yoga pants and tank top ensemble that I’ve been sporting since last night.

“Don’t be jelly just because I don’t have to get dressed for my job.” I smirk.

“Oh, I’m not. But do you think you could shower real quick? I want to go somewhere fancy.”

“Okay, okay. I suppose I could do that.” I shoot her a wink, swinging my legs off the couch, just as my computer chimes, informing me that a new email has come in. I glance down to the screen, thinking nothing of it…until I see it’s from him. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” I shout in rapid succession.

“What?” Paige jumps, startled.

“Loïc emailed me!” I grab my chest, sure I’m about to pass out.

“Well, what does it say?” Paige plops onto the couch beside me.

“I’m scared,” I admit. My heart is seriously thrumming a painful cadence within my chest.

“It’ll be okay. Just open it.”

---