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“I’m fine, Natalie. I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you.”
I laughed though I didn’t feel it. “Sounds like we’re the same. I’m fine too and worried about you all the same.”
“Sometimes I wonder who’s the mother.” She laughed but it turned into an ugly cough.
Every time I heard it, I got scared. My fear is what had led me to make a deal with the devil so to speak. My day of reckoning with my father would come soon. Hopefully, not too soon.
“Maybe you should rest,” I said.
“I’m not ninety, Natalie. I’m only forty-nine.” She been such an active, beautiful woman, I’d envied her. Now, she was looking more her age and it scared me. “Tell me about your apartment. I need to schedule UPS to pick up the boxes to ship to you.”
Truth time and it sucked because I knew she’d worry. That was the last thing she needed.
“Not yet. There’s been a complication with this virus going around. It seems the roommate I was replacing is no longer leaving.”
“What?” Mom said.
“I’m figuring it out. I’m crashing with a friend.” It was a tiny lie in the name of not making her worry. Besides, given everything I’d done with Liam, couldn’t we be considered friendly?
“What friend?”
I couldn’t lie to her. “His name is Liam. But more importantly, I’ve heard some things you should know. It’s about this new virus. Doctors at the hospital are scared because of how deadly it is, and there isn’t a lot in the way of treatment, though it’s very contagious. It affects the lungs. So you need to stay home. Order anything you need online, and the cleaning lady can bring in any packages.”
That was a service I had to pay for while I was traveling as a nurse on assignment with my agency. Though Mom thought she could do the same things as she’d done before, she couldn’t. When she didn’t answer, I said, “Promise me.”
“Fine. I won’t leave the house.”
“If you do, I’m coming back.”
The warning was weak as I might have to do just that if I didn’t find a place to stay. I also considered looking for something big enough for her to come stay with me. She wasn’t an invalid, but we also didn’t know what exactly had brought on the COPD. Outside of what the doctors thought, it was possible it was something in the environment or air. I was afraid it would get worse fast, and she would need a lung transplant.
“Yes, mother,” she teased. “You know how much I love you.”
“I do and I love you more. You be good and be safe. Relax and put your feet up for once. I’ll be back before you know it.” Sooner than she might think.
“You’re such a great kid.”
“You’re such a great mom.”
“Okay, fine. I’m not letting you off so easily. You’ve never told me about a Liam.”
“I don’t have to tell you everything,” I teased.
“True. But you’re my baby and I worry.”
“Don’t.”
“I’m getting off because the last thing I need to do is cry. Love you too, baby.”
She hung up and I felt on the verge of tears myself. I finished my salad while I made a decision. I would be an adult. I could face Liam even after I practically begged him to fuck me.
There were so many reasons why I behaved so badly. I would blame the wine which was partly true. The fact was there were some choices in life I wanted to make. He’d been one of them.
Renewed with owning my sexuality, the only hitch in my current plan was how he would react to me after last night.
When I opened the door to the hotel room, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Seven
Natalie
The room was dark except for the light from the TV. It bathed Liam in an artificial glow.
“You came back,” he said.
“Why wouldn’t I?” I let the door close behind me, leaving me in a shadow.
“Oh, I don’t know. Based on the regret on your face, I’d say it was obvious.”
I didn’t like him reading me so well.
“Go ahead and say it,” he goaded.
I blew out a breath, walked over to the sofa and sat next to him. I tucked up my feet before facing him. “You’re right. Last night shouldn’t have happened.”
“The drunk girl’s excuse.”
“I was drunk, and it’s the truth. Sounds like you’ve heard it before.”
“No, I had friends who have. I never thought I would.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“There are plenty of women who wouldn’t regret a night with me. In fact, the maid offered to blow me.” Unable to speak, I just let my jaw hang open. “Don’t be surprised. Women throw themselves at me all the time.”
“Do I need to move over so your ego can have more room?”
He didn’t laugh, just held my gaze. “It’s the truth. Wasn’t that your line?”
