The Exception(31)

“Oh, excuse me,” a man’s voice spoke and his hand lightly touched my arm as he walked by.

“I’m sor—” I turned around and gasped. “Drew?” I shouted.

He stopped dead in his tracks and stood there for a second before turning around.

“Jillian?”

“Yes!” My heart started pounding.

He walked towards me and stopped as he stood there and stared at me.

“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 took hold of my hand, gently rubbing his thumb across my skin. Feeling his warm touch soothed me and 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 with the hopes that 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 restrooms?” 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.”





Chapter Nineteen


Drew



I couldn’t believe she was here in New York. Seeing her again was a dream come true. Man, the news about her sister tore at my heart. Pulling out my phone, I called Lia.

“Mr. Westbrook’s office.”

“Lia, it’s me. I’m not coming back to the office today. Clear my schedule.”

“Is everything okay, Drew?” she asked.

“Everything’s fine. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Just as I ended the call, Jillian walked back to the table.

“Better?” she asked.

“I didn’t think you looked bad to begin with.” I smiled.

She sat down and I immediately reached for her hand.

“I’m sorry about your sister. I can only imagine what you’re going through right now.”

“Thank you. I just can’t absorb it.”

“How is she doing?”

I let out a light laugh. “She was prepared for this and already accepted it. She’s acting like it’s no big deal and that’s what I can’t understand. And poor Noah.”

“Her husband?” I asked.

“Her boyfriend. He just sobbed like I’d never seen a man sob before. It’s weird, Drew. She’s so strong, she doesn’t seem scared, and she said she’s not afraid to die.”

“Maybe she isn’t and you need to believe her. Whether you think it’s weird or not, you have to respect what she says and how she feels.”

“I know and I do. Anyway, enough about me. I can’t believe you live in New York.”

“I can’t believe you moved to New York.” I smirked.

“I’m afraid to ask,” she spoke as she picked up her glass of wine. “Have you heard from Jess?”