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“What—I can’t believe—oh, my God.” He wrapped his arms around me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I live here. What are you doing here?” He broke our embrace and stared at me through my sunglasses.
“I live here too. This is where I came right from Hawaii.”
His lips curved up into a small smile while he removed my sunglasses from my face. Our eyes locked onto each other, and his smile drifted away.
“You’ve been crying,” he spoke as he took his thumbs and tried to wipe away the stains under my eyes. “What happened?”
“Long story.” I looked down.
“I’ve got all the time in the world. Do you want to grab a bite to eat? Or we can go somewhere and talk.”
“I am starving. I haven’t eaten all day.”
“Then let’s go get something to eat.” He smiled as he held his arm out, and I hooked mine around his. “There’s Serafina’s right across the street if you like pizza or pasta.”
“That’s fine. I really need a drink.”
Per Drew’s request, we were seated in a round corner booth away from the crowd that occupied the restaurant.
“Hello, my name is Kim, and I’ll be taking your order. May I start you off with something to drink?”
“I’ll have a glass of Moscato, please,” I replied.
“Just bring the whole bottle and two glasses,” Drew told her.
He reached across the table and held my hand, gently rubbing his thumb across my skin. Feeling his warm touch soothed me. I still couldn’t believe he was here.”
“I can’t believe I’m sitting across from you right now.” He smiled. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I know, right? I can’t believe it either.”
“Tell me what’s wrong, Jillian. Why were you crying?”
I swallowed hard and then took in a deep breath.
“It’s my sister, Kristen.”
“I thought you were an only child?”
“Remember when you asked if I was an only child, and I said sort of, but that’s another story?”
“Yes. I remember.”
“I have a half-sister, and her name is Kristen. She was the product of an affair that my father had years ago. She found me, and we connected. About six months ago, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She went through chemo and radiation, hoping the tumor had shrunk. But it didn’t, and she was told today that the cancer spread, and she has about six to nine months left to live.” My eyes started to water.
The waitress set down two glasses and poured some wine into each of them.
“Excuse me, where’s your restroom?” I asked.
“Right behind you, sweetie.” She gave me a sad and pathetic look.
“Hold your thoughts.” I looked at Drew. “I’m going to clean myself up a bit.”
“Okay. Take as much time as you need.”
