Stay(51)

“Oh, Em!” Lou clasps her hands to her chest and looks at me like I’ve just told her the most wonderful bedtime story. “The stars have reunited you with the man of your dreams. I’m so happy. It makes me believe in true love again.”

Anxiety squirms in my stomach. I can do this fake marriage for Eli, but misleading Lulabell makes me feel sick. Especially when she thinks I’m headed for a happily ever after.

God, again, I’m convinced I’m making a massive mistake. As if there’s anything I can do about it now.

I only hope Stephen’s right and when the time comes, we’re able to explain our questionable choices and the pros and cons of making them in a way the people I love will understand.

Provided I don’t lose my heart in the process.





20





Stephen


“My dogs are barking!” Emmy flops on my pristine white couch as soon as she arrives home from work.

“You don’t have to walk home. I’ll send a car.”

“I don’t want to get used to being pampered.”

Her response is like a splash of cold water right in my face, reminding me not to get too attached. I should be grateful for the wake-up call, but instead my jaw clenches.

Eli hops up beside her. “Stephen has two computers in his office. Two!” His high voice is loud, and he’s so excited, he bounces. The grin it provokes removes my irritation. This kid. “He showed me a video of a pod of orcas swimming in a group. They really do hunt like wolves! We pulled up this other video on the screen beside it, and watched them side by side. It was awesome! Think we can go to Yellowstone and see a wolf some day? They’re so cool. Did you know gray wolves are endangered?”

“I think I heard about that. Goodness, you’re excited.” She looks up at me, and I cross my arms, smiling at their reunion. “Are you feeling okay? No headaches or… anything?”

“Nu-uh.” Eli hops off the couch and heads over to where I’m standing. “Can I show Mom the model?”

“Sure. Run get it.”

He runs to the stairs, and I take the opportunity to tell her what else happened today. “I talked to Henry. He’d like to see Eli tomorrow if that works for you.”

Her eyes widen, and I really love the way she looks at me, like I just rescued her from a burning building.

“Let me check with Lulabell. I’m sure when I tell her, it’ll be fine.” Her pretty brow furrows, and worried blue eyes meet mine. “Why so soon? Is he concerned about something?”

“I don’t think so. He’s done the surgery before. I sent him all of Eli’s records, and he thinks, depending on how it goes, he can work him in next week.”

“Next week!” Her voice is breathless, a mixture of excitement and nerves.

I get it. She’s getting what she always wanted, and it’s coming in fast.

“Is that too soon?” I kind of hope she says yes.

It’s strange to be both proud of what I’ve done and miserable at the same time. Eli spent last week with me, and Emmy was here all weekend. Now, seeing them settled and happy in my home, I have unexpected pangs of sadness at the thought of them not being here.

“I guess not…”

“He’s traveling to Europe the following week, and he won’t be back for a month. He said we can do it next week or wait for him to return—”

“We can do it next week.” She chews her lip, looking at her hands twisting in her lap. “I don’t want to miss our opportunity. I’ll talk to Eli about it, and I’m sure Lou will let me have the time off tomorrow.”

“I’ll let him know.” My lips press into a smile, but it’s not my usual cocky grin or knowing smirk. It’s sad. It’s a smile of knowing the right thing to do is going to hurt like hell, but knowing I’m going to do it anyway. “I’ve arranged for us to have dinner every day at six thirty, if that time works for you?”

“Sounds great.” She stands. “I’ll get cleaned up and change.”

“This afternoon, Ted—my personal chef—and I planned out a keto menu for our meals. We can’t use half the ingredients in the pantry, but Ted loves a challenge.”

“Keto?” Emmy stops at the stairs, turning back and giving me a wry grin. “Are you saying I need to lose weight, Mr. Hastings?”

“Not at all. Your body is perfect.” Her cheeks flush, but she should know how I feel. I showed her several times this weekend. “A ketogenic diet is highly recommended for controlling seizures in children. I figured we’d all eat the same thing, so Eli doesn’t feel strange.”

For a moment, she’s silent, staring at me. Then her lip trembles and she rushes forward, throwing her arms around my neck.

My hands are on her waist, and her voice is muffled at my shoulder. “Thank you. You have no idea how much all of this means to me.”

A sudden ache hits my throat. Ridiculous. It’s only food. “Well, if it’s good for him, it’s probably good for us, too. I’ll let Ted know the time is acceptable.”

She releases me, and her eyes shimmer with unshed tears. “I’ll tell Eli.”

We reconvene to a dinner of pork chops with green beans sautéed in coconut oil. Eli’s meat is pre-cut, and he devours it like we didn’t have lunch, which we did, tuna salad with celery and fresh tomatoes.