Page 51 of Help Me Remember
He snorts. “I appreciate that.”
“Who did you love?” I ask and wish I hadn’t. “Forget that I asked, it’s none of my business.”
“Consider it forgotten. Not to mention, we’re here to talk about you.” He nudges me.
“Yes, that’s always fun.”
“So, you and Henry . . .”
I blink, confused as to why he would ask me about that. “What about Henry?”
“You don’t think he’s who gave you the ring?”
“You do?”
He shakes his head. “No, but that’s who you remembered and wanted.”
“Only because I woke up as the me from three years ago. But, to answer your question, no, I don’t think he proposed. If he did, and that was the ring he gave me, there’s not a chance in hell he wouldn’t have asked for it back. Plus, what you and Emmett said makes sense.”
“Emmett made sense?”
I smile. “It has been known to happen on occasion. Really, the only two options that make sense are that I put it there or the guy who gave it to me did.”
Spencer leans back on his elbows. “You’re right.”
“So, world-class-investigator Cross, how do we solve the riddle?”
“Lie down next to me,” he instructs.
“Umm, why?”
“Just do it, Brie.” Spencer’s voice is part annoyance, part amusement.
I grumble as I do as he asks.
“Now, I want you to keep your eyes closed.”
I turn my face to him, eyes flying open. “Why?”
“Jesus, you’re exasperating.”
“You’re cryptic.”
“I have been all around the world, dealt with mob bosses, politicians, royalty, and terrorist leaders who are less suspicious than you.”
“I doubt that,” I reply.
He glares at me, but there’s humor underneath. “I swear, Brie, I am not going to hurt you. When I was in Algeria, I interviewed this woman, Yamina, who was known to be an incredible healer. People from all around the country came to her to heal their ailments. The story was that she could touch someone who was suffering, and within days, they’d start to recover. Miraculously. Of course, I thought it was all complete bullshit.”
“Of course, because you’re the most pessimistic person I know.” I laugh.
“Realistic. There’s a difference,” Spencer corrects me. “I had a point.”
I extend my hand, insinuating he should get to it then.
There is a low huff of annoyance before he goes on. I love irritating him. “Anyway, I stayed there for weeks, ready to document every trick she did. I was so sure I could debunk the claims that I extended my stay for a month. Sometimes she could help with an herb. Other times, it was an elixir that she once said was nothing more than water with ginger and some other natural ingredients. Most of the people she touched weren’t physically healed, though. What she did was open their minds to understanding what was broken. She would spend hours with them, calming them, allowing them all of her attention. Yamina made them feel seen and she gave them hope, healing them on a spiritual level. She was patient beyond anything I’ve ever seen. I can’t explain it because there are parts of it that I still don’t know how they are possible.”
“So, you want to heal my spirit?” I ask, mocking him a little.
