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I give a half-hearted shrug, trying to downplay my condition. “As I said, it’s just a headache. I didn’t want to worry you or anyone. This is just a combination of finals and work stress. Babysitting isn’t exactly a walk in the park. All the people I work for need more hours, and I’m happy to do it. It’s good money after all.” I shrug casually as if saying, ‘can you blame me?’
His expression softens further, but the worry doesn’t leave his eyes. “Ameline, you can’t ignore this. Sometimes a headache is a symptom of something major. You need to take better care of yourself. And maybe it’s time you go and see a doctor, just to be sure it’s only stress.”
I start to nod, knowing Gabe is right and I’ll probably make an appointment next week. Once I make the decision about my mother. Funny enough my phone pings with an incoming text. I glance over at the nightstand. My breath catches as I see it’s from my mother. On impulse I reach over and my pulse quickens reading her words.
Mom: I know I said we could meet another time, but something’s come up. I need you sooner than expected. Is there a way you can convince Isadora and Cedric to visit me, too? I think they blocked me.
I furrow my brow, perplexed. Need you sooner? “What does she want?”
“Ignore this for tonight,” Gabe urges, his voice kind but firm. “You’re clearly exhausted and unwell. Cryptic requests can wait for another day.”
He hands me two pills and a glass of water. “Here, take this. It should help you.”
“Thank you.” I give the empty glass back to him.
Gabe moves around the studio as if he belongs here. Minutes later, he’s back at my side with a steaming mug of tea. “Drink this. It’ll help.”
I stare at the steam wondering if he’s right. I should ignore her. I mean she did forget that we existed for a long time. Why not let her wait for longer?
“But what if she truly needs my help?” I ask with uncertainty as I drink the tea.
Gabe leans in and plants a gentle kiss on my nose, a gesture that sends warmth coursing through me. Oh, no, please don’t be nice and caring. I can’t handle loving Gabe while dealing with all the other things. I might make a mistake and go from girl-crushing to woman madly in love.
He doesn’t move too much, and I can feel his breath. Those eyes looking at me like I’m precious and fragile. My heart begins to thump fast and this time it’s not the headache that miraculously enough is beginning to subside.
This man dares to give me yet another kiss on the cheek before saying, “Then we’ll deal with it tomorrow. For now, let’s focus on taking care of Ame—doctor’s orders.”
His voice holds a tender authority that makes me feel suddenly self-conscious. I meet his gaze, struck by the depth of concern and . . . what else is in those eyes? It’s like he holds his emotions so close to his heart that I can never know what he’s really thinking or feeling.
I shouldn’t look into it, but honestly no one has taken care of me like this since . . . Well, ever.
I’m about to say something when another text arrives. Gabe groans, and I look at it without caring that he’s not happy about it.
Mom: I’m at the hospital. Can you come and see me? It’s truly important, sweetie.
The words hit me like a wave, leaving me reeling. She’s sick or had an accident and she needs me. But I’m hardly in any shape to be going anywhere.
Gabe stands up, and comes back with a plate. Gently he takes the phone from my hands and hands me a sandwich instead. “Eat. We’ll deal with this tomorrow, or when you’re feeling better,” he insists.
I sit there, nibbling the sandwich he gave me and pondering if tomorrow is even a good day to deal with the situation, while concerned that it might be too late. What if she dies and I don’t get to see her one last time?
But you can’t even move. Don’t be a fool, I tell myself.
“I guess you’re right. I can barely even stand,” I concede with a small, tired smile.
Gabe takes my free hand and gives it a comforting squeeze. “If you choose to see her once you feel better, I’ll come with you,” he promises, fixing the blankets and some pillows so I’m more comfortable. “Finish that sandwich. Something tells me that you haven’t been eating well either.”
As I lean back against the headboard I can’t help but wonder what I should do with my mother. Thankfully, the pain is subsiding. All I see is Gabe’s blue eyes, reassuring that everything will be okay, and you know what? I believe him.
It’s like next to him, I have no fears. He’s almost the light that helps me down the dark paths. The rock I can lean on. It scares me sometimes how bold he makes me feel. How understood.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s time I stop thinking cautiously and acting with my heart. Like seeing my mother, confronting my father, and finally letting myself fall in love with this guy.No more crushes like a teenager. Nope.
We’re going all in. I’ll make him fall in love with me while I fall for him. How hard can that be?
The thought sends a shiver of excitement, tinged with a sliver of fear, through me. It’s like I’m suspended on the precipice of a great adventure, the wind whispering in my ear, let it happen. Love, be free. There’s the promise of new beginnings too. And for the first time, I feel a willingness to leap, to embrace the change.
To push my father’s boundaries.
