Gabriel’s eyes glimmered. “He should be. He doesn’t have you.”
“I was thinking it was because he knows I’m with you. You heard him. He mentioned how hot you are.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Streaks of red washed over Gabriel’s cheeks, and I loved that he could look so macho and deadly in his dark suit and shades, yet still be little-boy embarrassed when I said sweet things to him.
“No, it’s not. And let me enjoy it. I never had a steady boyfriend or even thought I wanted one. But once we were together, the day I realized I was in love with you, I stopped being scared of everything else. Because I know you’ll always be here for me.” I rubbed my foot against his. “Like I’ll be for you.”
My phone buzzed, and concentrating on Gabriel’s beautiful smile, I hit the Answer button automatically. “Hello?”
“Rowey?”
At the sound of Cassie’s voice, my heart leaped and my stomach sank. I closed my eyes for a second.
“Hello, Cassie.” Suddenly the food tasted like dirt, and I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat. Gabriel tensed, and I loved how he was so protective of me even for a phone call.
“You sound so angry.”
I rolled my eyes and took the phone away from my ear. “Do you believe this shit?” I asked Gabriel, who chewed his bottom lip and jiggled his leg under the table.
“Maybe you should listen to what she has to say.”
I squinted across the table at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Family, Ronan. Remember what you told me?”
Something seemed off with Gabriel, but I couldn’t figure out what, and the fact that he refused to meet my eyes reinforced my belief.
Cassie’s voice prodded me to pay attention. “I thought you wanted to talk.”
“I’ve wanted to talk since I came home, but you blew me off, remember?”
A frustrated sigh escaped her. “I’m trying now. When your boyfriend texted and said you wanted to talk to me, I was so happy. I want to put all this behind us. I hate fighting. I’ve been thinking a lot about you.” Her voice softened. “I’m glad you have someone. Maybe you’ll be less angry with me now.”
“My boyfriend? Texted you?” A cold sweat broke over me. “I gotta go.” Without waiting for her response, I ended the call, and with a shaking hand I tried unsuccessfully to control, I set the phone on the table and crossed my arms. “What the hell did I just hear? You texted Cassie?”
Gabriel opened his mouth, closed it, then drew a deep breath. “Look—”
“No, you look. You had no right to butt into my life and do that without talking to me first.” Seeing a cab pull up to the curb to discharge passengers, I took out my wallet, tossed a bunch of cash on the table, and stood. “I need to be alone for a while. I’m going to the hospital myself.”
I closed the taxi door, and as it rolled away, I watched Gabriel standing outside the restaurant. My head and heart ached seeing his defeated expression even as my anger boiled over. What gave Gabriel the right to put himself in the middle of my problems? Sure, I’d found his brother and sister, but I didn’t go behind his back and contact them. I’d almost come to terms with the betrayal and loss of Cassie and the kids in my life, mostly because I had Gabriel to turn to.
Or maybe that was a lie I told to myself, because the moment I heard Cassie’s voice, I ached again to have the little sister I’d once known and would’ve done anything for.
I ignored my buzzing phone and slouched in the corner of the smelly car, staring blindly out the window. Once we reached the hospital, I paid and jumped out, forcing myself to stuff down all my resentment. I had a job to do.
“Dorothy.” I placed a smile on my lips. “I’ve been told the trust has already dispensed some funds.”
Her eyes brightened, and she took off her reading glasses. “You can’t imagine what it means for us not to have to recycle the same books all the time. And we loved your idea of hiring people to come entertain the children so much that we’ve booked some acts.”
Who was I to be mad about some stupid phone call when these children had more courage than anyone I knew? “I’m glad. And don’t forget the games. I have a whole slew of stuff coming that should cover all the children here.”
Footsteps pounded outside in the hallway and stopped next to Dorothy’s office door, and I knew without turning around that the heavy breathing I heard belonged to Gabriel. I could sense his presence now, as though part of me that had gone missing was now back where it belonged. But because I was still too upset, and the hospital wasn’t the place to deal with what happened, I ignored him.
“Can I make my rounds now? How is Haley? Is she going home soon?” She’d gone through her final treatment, and as much as I wanted her to go home, I hoped I hadn’t missed a chance to say good-bye. She had become a surrogate of sorts for my nieces, Molly and Sami, whom I’d never met, especially since Haley and Molly were the same age. I’d sometimes scroll through Cassie’s Instagram to see the kids and her laughing and happy.
A genuine smile of relief broke across Dorothy’s usually tense face. “Good news. The doctors said she’s in remission. There’s no sign of the cancer, and they’re sending her home tomorrow. You’ll have a chance to say good-bye today.”
