Page 62 of Heal Me

We return from our day on the water riding on Dad’s boat, Knot On Call, because every boat needs a bad pun for its name. Aubry might want to look at boat naming as a side business.

We make our way through nightmarish traffic to Dad’s house in Beacon Hill. He sold the house I grew up in before the divorce and bought this place back when I was a teenager, but I’ve been here enough times to make myself comfortable. It’s a beautifully updated three-bedroom home that spans three floors and has a private outdoor space.

Gabe, being the gentleman that he is, insists on taking a separate bedroom. “You realize my Dad knows we’re together in every sense of the word,” I tell him after Dad’s already turned in. “Separate bedrooms aren’t necessary.”

“It is necessary. I will show your dad respect when I’m under his roof.”

“Then a woman will have to take matters into her own hands,” I say as I reach into my bag and pull out his feather. “Good night,” I say with a smile as I walk back to my room and shut the door.

Chapter 26

Charlotte

Making my way to the kitchen, I find Gabe’s already beat me here. “Morning, how did you sleep?” I ask.

“Like a baby,” he answers, handing me a coffee from Italy.

I place a finger on my chin in contemplation. “If only Turek were here to tell me if that’s true…”

He pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you with my feather. I had to take matters into my own hands,” he whispers in my ear and I smile, his words sending a thrill down my entire body.

“Morning. Glad you two are up. I’m sorry, but I’ve been called in,” Dad says, already dressed in his scrubs.

“That’s fine,” I say, walking over to my dad and giving him a hug. Sadly, I’m used to making plans with him that fall through. A common theme of my childhood.

“Do you want me to get you a car service for the airport?”

“No, thank you. We’ll work it out.” Hopefully we’ll be flying air angel. I’ll take the moment of disorientation to avoid the airport hassle any day.

“We had a great time. Thank you for the invitation,” Gabe says as he and Dad shake hands.

“Watch over my girl for me.”

Gabe and I look at each other, both trying not to smile at my dad’s choice of words. “That I will.”

“What should we do this morning?” I ask Gabe when Dad leaves. “I could play tour guide.”

“I’m very familiar with the area, so we can skip the tourist spots.”

“Ah, okay. Then I’ll have to come up with a different game plan. Do you mind if I go for a quick run this morning?”

“Not at all. I need to catch up on a few emails anyway. I might go to a coffee shop.”

“Before you go traipsing across the globe, there’s a good one just down the street. Give me just a minute and I’ll walk you over.”

Throwing on my running clothes, I lock up behind me and we walk hand in hand to the coffee shop. I give him a quick kiss goodbye and begin my run. I’ve hit this pavement countless times when I used to visit here in the summers during high school. The miles go by quickly and I return to the coffee shop nice and sweaty.

Entering the shop, Gabe’s huddled next to a woman whom I can only describe as otherworldly beautiful. I get a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Gabe spots me and waves me over. “Charlotte, I want you to meet someone. This is Orla.” I take it this is Orla, as in Gabe’s ex-girlfriend. “Orla, this is my girlfriend, Charlotte.”

A huge wave of insecurity washes over me. Here I am a sweaty mess, and here Gabe’s Banshee ex looks like a runway model. Orla has blonde hair so light it’s nearly white, and the most translucent, radiant skin I’ve ever seen on a woman. She has unusual, gray-colored eyes that are likewise taking me in, and I try not to fidget.

She stands and we shake hands. “Hi Orla, nice to meet you.” I’d guess her human form to be in her early thirties. She’s wearing a white jumpsuit and stiletto sandals that look amazing on her. Though I’m not sure anything wouldn’t look amazing on her, as she’s nearly six feet of feminine perfection.

“How do you do,” she replies in a lovely Irish accent. Gabe pulls out my chair for me and then returns to his seat. Next to Orla.

“My love, what can I get you?” Gabe asks me.

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