Page 15 of Still The One

‘Well, I’m less anxious he’s going to die. And he looks better. I feel like he’s much more stable than he was.’

‘You are correct, Miss Cassidy. I think today may be “wake up Foster day”.’

‘Really?’ I ask.

‘I’m going to run it by another physician and be in with our decision this afternoon. Sound good?’

‘I’ll be here,’ I say.

My heart races in my chest knowing they’re considering ‘mission unsedate Foster’. It’s one thing to be here when he can’t talk to me, call me stupid nicknames he knows I’ll hate, or look into my soul with his intoxicating crystal blue eyes, but knowing that soon he mayknowI’m here makes me nervous. What will he say?Get out?What the hell are you doing here?Hello there, Jellybean? (That stupid nickname). I’m not excited to find out.

I read for a while longer, occasionally glancing over at him. He looks so peaceful, as if he’s sleeping. I wonder what he’s dreaming about. As for me, my mind is wandering. I’ve read the same page twice, retaining exactly nothing as I remember the last time I saw him and all the stupid things we fought over. Please don’t let him be dreaming about all that.

My phone buzzes on the table beside me, my sister’s name flashing across the screen.

‘Did you finally pop?’ I joke.

‘Why are you there again?’ she asks, her tone demanding an answer.

Damn it, Kait.

‘Have you forgotten the disaster that break-up was?’

‘No,’ I moan. ‘But you and Kait are great reminders.’

‘Well, the memories of him that you shared with me are intruding my thoughts. You can’t go back to a guy who never cared you left, Eve.’

‘I’m not here to take him back,’ I say, defending myself. ‘Which is why the second he opens his eyes, I may run out of this hospital like an Olympic athlete. But for now, even he deserves to have someone here for him, doesn’t he?’

Jess lets out a heavy sigh, her frustration palpable. ‘Evie, listen, I know he’s pretty, but there are countless pretty men who don’t let the supposed love of their life walk away without following them or even asking why. Fall in love with any of them instead?’

I scoff. ‘As if it were that easy. I tried that, remember? That one was an even bigger disaster than this one.’

For a second she’s silent because she knows I’m right. ‘You’re acting insane.’

‘And you’re being overbearing. I’m completely sane, I’m just acting like someone who gives a crap about a guy she once loved. In sickness and in health, remember?’

‘You can’t break out the vows when they work for you,’ she moans.

‘I can’t let Foster suffer through this alone. No one deserves that.’

‘I’m sure they’d send in a priest so he wouldn’t be completely alone.’

I gasp. ‘Rude. Clearly, you’re the sister without the soul.’

She laughs into the phone like she’s proud of it. ‘That’s right. If need be, I’ll drive my enormous ass down there and drag you out.’

‘Do not, Jess. Also, I’d really appreciate it if you and Kait would stop discussing me and the situation behind my back. I know what I’m doing. I’m a full-grown adult. He’s nice to look at, and I haven’t had a vacation from work in years. Let me enjoy this.’

‘Holy shiitake mushrooms, Eve. You’re consideringthisyour vacation? Vacations include tropical drinks and reading by a pool.’

‘I’m reading; and as for the tropical drinks, I momentarily considered sneaking in a hard lemonade, but I don’t need that reputation – though it would make these conversations easier. Also, I have a pool, in the basement. I’ll be there three times a week, just as I always am, with my elderly aerobics class and baby swim class. Maybe tomorrow I’ll lay out a towel and bask, just to appease you, since I won’t have to jet to work immediately afterward.’

‘Yes, please, I’ll take that photo proof of you basking at the edge of an indoor basement pool.’ She says the words sarcastically, but I know she’s being serious. She doesn’t want every minute of my day to be Foster, but whether I’m in his room or not, he’s on my mind.

‘I’m warning you now; this could all go completely tits up, and when it does…’

‘As usual, you’ll be the first to say “I told you so.” I know, Jess. It’s not going to happen, though. Foster probably hates me as much as I hate him – hence him not coming after me all those years ago. He’ll likely demand I leave. And I will, happily.’ Just saying the words makes my heart feel anything but happy.

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