Page 2 of Laying His Claim
Jalissa wasted no time. In seconds, her mouth was full of cool, fresh cream and magical dark chocolate. “I’m not going to argue with you there!”
When they were done feasting, they put aside the empty containers with satisfied groans. Then Jalissa was serious again. “Okay, cough it up.”
“Cough up the profiteroles? Ewww!” Kaiya said in mock horror.
“No,” Jalissa responded patiently. “Cough up whatever it is you want to tell me.”
Kaiya shook her head in resignation. “And I thought you didn’t remember me.”
“I don’t need to, girl. You’re as transparent as glass.”
Kaiya brushed some invisible crumbs off her stylish dress and asked hesitantly, “How are things going with you and Justin?”
Jalissa paused, not knowing how to answer. How were things with the grey eyed, dark-haired, tall stranger who everyone said was her fiancé? The one who came to visit bearing small gifts, brushed her cheek with his thick warm lips, and told her about his day for about an hour before disappearing again? What could she possibly say?
She barely remembered him and she sure as hell didn’t remember getting engaged to him, but that’s what he, and all the other semi-strangers who visited, had told her. There was Kaiya’s husband, Tyler, and her sister, Kalilah, with her husband, Finn—who also happened to be Justin’s half-brother. Lord, what a mess!
“Okay, I guess,” Jalissa murmured.
Kaiya took her hand. “Girl, I know when you two were together, you used to insist that it was all just for fun, but it’s clear just by looking at his face that he cares for you. I could just punch you when I think that you got engaged without telling me, though.”
When Jalissa didn’t answer, Kaiya dropped her playful demeanor and looked her deep in the eyes. “Give him a chance, Jalissa. All he wants is for you to be part of his family, especially—” she stopped abruptly and withdrew.
There it is again,Jalissa thought,that reticence.That feeling that there’s something going on in the background. Something they’re not telling me.She felt a wave of intense frustration at being kept in the dark about her own life. “Especially what?” she demanded. “I deserve to know!”
Kaiya chewed on her cheek, not responding.
There was a real knock on the door and in walked Dr. Chiang, the consultant who had been supervising her care. He was accompanied by one of the nurses. “Mademoiselle Thomas, how are we today?”
“Weare not in a good mood,” Jalissa griped.
He came to stand by her bed. “Why not? You’ve been progressing admirably!”
Jalissa threw a dark look at Kaiya. “Maybe. But that’s on the outside. Just because I can brush my own teeth and find my way to the toilet doesn’t mean I’m whole again. I’m sick and tired of feeling like my entire head is nothing but a huge empty space. Full of…nothing!”she spat out.
He looked sympathetic, and explained, as he had before, “After your accident we detected no head or brain injury. Your psychiatrist and I are almost positive your memories will return. Unfortunately, there’s never a definite timeframe with memory loss. But I assure you, my dear, that everything is still inside of you. All of your memories, your personality, your likes and dislikes, your relationships. You just need to give it some time. With therapy and patience, they’ll come back to you.”
Jalissa looked away from all the helpful, sympathetic faces. She wanted to believe what the doctor said, but…
The doctor threw a glance at Kaiya that Jalissa couldn’t quite interpret. “As I have explained to you, Madame Anderson, the process must be gradual. You need to bear this in mind. It is not advisable that my patient receives too much information too quickly.”
As Kaiya nodded her understanding, Jalissa looked from the doctor to her friend. What was that about? Information overload concerningwhat?
Dr. Chiang went on cheerfully, “Anyway, I have wonderful news for you. I’ve consulted with your other specialists and we have all agreed that you can go home in the morning.”
“Home?” echoed Jalissa, stunned. “Tomorrow?”
The doctor was still smiling benignly, oblivious to her consternation. He checked her charts, made a few notes,cluck-cluckedwith the nurse, and then they bustled back out together.
Jalissa leaned back into her pillows, poleaxed.
“That’s great,” Kaiya enthused. “You get to go home!”
“But do I even… have a home?”
Kaiya considered this. “You used to have an apartment, but when the lease was up, I packed all your things and put them into storage. But don’t let that worry you. You didn’t think I’d let you go off to be all alone, did you? Of course, you’re coming home with me.”
“But Tyler…”
