Page 26 of Playing With Secrets
We hang up and I shake my head at her nonsense. As if Dorothy could stop me from taking care of her. She has no choice in the matter. She’s sick and needs me, so I’m going to be there for the woman I love.
I answer a few messages as we pull onto her street. I grab my coat and slide into it while I wait for my driver to let me out.
The door whips open, jerking it almost off the hinges. A shiver runs through me as I step out of the car. The wind is wild tonight as the cold air moves in.
I’m fixing my wool collar tighter around my neck when Icatch a glimpse of Dorothy peeking out her window behind her closed drapes. Despite the chill of the air, it makes my insides warm that she’s excited to see me.
With a smile on my face, I go inside. I step out of her stairwell and into her hall, surprised to find her waiting for me at the door. I stride to her faster because I need to feel her in my arms.
“Beauty, what are you doing out here when you don’t feel well?”
“It’s cold, and I didn’t want you to be waiting.”
“Get back inside. You’re already sick and the chill isn’t good for you.” I step up and kiss her on the cheek.
She lowers her head as I pull away. Her shoulders are slumped, and she still appears weak.
“Come on. Let’s get inside.” I press her door fully open and guide her into her loft. “Go rest on the couch. I’ll make you some hot chocolate. We can snuggle while you fill me in on your doctor’s appointment.”
She slinks away with a subtle nod and drags her feet as she goes to her sofa. I take my jacket off and throw it over the coat rack.
She crawls under a blanket. “What are you doing back so soon?”
“I did what was required and came back early. I’m needed here more than any event, so it made sense.”
As I’m making her drink, I notice two glasses in the sink. One has lipstick smeared on the edge, and the other doesn’t. That snake, Jamison, will pay for that.
My blood boils instantly. “Tell me about your week. Any visitors you’d like to tell me about?”
“Yeah. My brother surprised me. He’s in town for a couple of days.”
I shake my head at my paranoia and work myself back into a civil state. “He’s already cleared for travel?”
“I was as surprised as you. He says he’s fine and wanted tocome to visit while he’s on medical leave.” She sits up and faces me as I finish making her hot chocolate.
When I’m done, I take the two mugs and make my way to her. “Why isn’t he here?”
“He’s out with Melanie right now.”
“Melanie? How did that happen?” I hand Dorothy her cup. “Careful, it’s hot.”
“Thank you. I haven’t made hot chocolate since last year.”
She takes it from me and blows on it. “Melanie was here last night for dinner. He showed up at my door and surprised me. We ended up going out instead. You know how she is. She hit on him and things took off from there.”
“It sounds like something she would do.” I sit next to Dorothy and place my drink down. “Is he staying here?”
“No, there’s not enough space.” She cups her mug in both hands and lowers her head again. She seems upset.
My stomach tightens. “Forgive me. I should’ve asked about your appointment first. You said it didn’t go well. Tell me about it.”
I shift and slide my arm around her shoulders, my fingertips tracing along the top.
“As I suspected, I have a UTI. It’s a bad one. They found blood in my urine.”
“So that’s what’s been causing you all this trouble.”
She reaches forward, places her drink down, and grabs a tissue to wipe her nose. She’s trembling and holding back tears.
