Unexpected Arrivals(53)

I barely remembered driving home, much less getting into bed, but I couldn’t wait to call Cora. We’d made tentative plans more times than she’d let me forget, and until now, I’d yet to book a flight—this was set in stone. And I’d already started counting down.

“Hello?”

“Hey, babe.” I shouldn’t let the pet names flow so freely; however, they’d felt right last night, and she hadn’t stopped me or corrected it, so I was going with it.

“You’re awfully chipper this morning.”

“I made you a promise.”

“Do you have dates?” Her voice went from casual to animated in seconds.

“How about Christmas in Paris?”

“Seriously?”

“I bought the ticket last night, so I hope that works for you.”

“Non-refundable?”

I laughed heartily while I answered. “Yeah. So if you don’t want to see me, I either just wasted two grand, or I’m going to hang out with the pigeons in the park.”

“They like bread crumbs.”

“Are you feeding me to the birds?”

“Nah, but it does get cold here in December.”

“Like New York cold?”

“No, it’s not that brutal. Oh my God, James. I can’t believe I get to see you in—wait, what date are you actually arriving?”

“December twenty-second.”

“Eeep. How long do I get to keep you?”

I never thought those words would be so appealing or that I’d hear Cora squeal like a child.

“Forever if you’ll have me, but I fly back out on January second.”

“Ten days?” She totally skipped over forever. “Really? How will Neil breathe without you around to force air into his lungs?”

“I haven’t told him how long I’ll be gone.”

She erupted in laughter, and it was the greatest gift she’d ever given me—next to her love. “He’s going to Hulk out on you.”

“I doubt he’ll turn green and have muscles popping out everywhere. Plus, he encouraged me to go. He thinks it will be good for us.”

“How is having you gone good for Neil?” The way her voice dropped half an octave when she was confused brought a grin to my face. The nuances that were Cora were endless, and I missed every single one of them.

“Not good for him…good for us—me and you.” My laughter died, and I held my breath while waiting for her response.

“James…” My name was nothing more than a whisper on her lips.

I didn’t push it. I’d hinted at where my thoughts were—it was no secret I’d never wanted her to leave—and if flying to France didn’t prove to her I still loved her, then maybe my presence there would.

“So, promise me you’ll take some time off, and when I get there, you’ll show me around like a tourist. There’s only one place I’d like to go on New Year’s Eve, so leave that day open. Although, feel free to fill in the rest with whatever you want to do or see.”

Luckily, Cora didn’t ask what I had in mind, and instead, just prattled on about the places she’d meant to explore since she arrived but hadn’t been able to because of her work schedule. It wouldn’t matter if every one of them sucked; hearing her excitement made them appealing. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could rekindle my love affair with Cora Chase in Paris, yet now that the opportunity had arisen, I couldn’t fathom a better place.

***

It wasn’t uncommon for Chelsea and me to play phone tag for a week at a time, still, she hadn’t read or responded to my texts in a couple of days. When I called today, I half expected to get her voicemail, but she picked up on the last ring. And immediately, I knew something wasn’t right.

“Chelsea, what’s wrong?”

There was a long pause, and her deep inhale wasn’t a sign of good things to come. Even though I didn’t want to pry, if something had happened to her mother, I should be there for her the way she always was for me. I couldn’t replace her mom—I could, however, keep her from feeling alone.

“My mom has pneumonia. I’m sorry I haven’t answered your calls. I’ve been in Tampa. I’m still here—well, at the hotel. Dottie stayed with her.”

“Pneumonia’s treatable, though, right?”

“For lots of people, yes. For someone with late-stage Huntingtons, it’s more likely a death sentence.”

Hearing her cry was almost as bad as listening to Cora. And in both cases, I wasn’t anywhere near able to help them or comfort them. Chelsea might as well be in Paris with Cora in terms of distance. I didn’t know anyone who’d lost a parent. The closest thing I’d ever experienced was Cora’s grandfather passing away, but they weren’t close, and she hadn’t even gone to the funeral because of school. I was in unchartered territory.

“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” There wasn’t; it just seemed right to offer.

“Tell me something good. I don’t want to think about this right now.”

I was hesitant to tell her I’d finally booked a flight to Paris. I hated to come across as insensitive—like I was gaining someone I loved while she lost the same. “Umm, I had an Egg McMuffin for breakfast, and they accidentally put two eggs on it.”