The apartment smells of sautéing garlic and olive oil. I finish julienning the carrots and spring onions and toss them into the preheated wok with the sweet pea pods before Daniel slides the chicken in. I add some tamari sauce and toss. A splatter of hot oil arcs out of the pan and plops with a sizzle against the cold granite countertop.
“It was a weird yet fascinating day,” I answer.
“How so?” Drew asks. He’s lounging in bed with a book splayed open on his lap and a cup of herbal tea next to him on the bedside table.
“I talked to someone else this morning who knew me. He’s a bit eccentric. Found out he has a brother who happens to be one of my study partners. His brother is the guy I told you about who I met at the beach.”
I stop tossing the wok and turn off the heat. Daniel places two bowls partially filled with steamed rice next to me, and I pour half of the stir-fry into each.
“Your world seems to be a small one. You keep running into people there,” Drew replies. “I hope you know just how sorry we are that we never tried to find out more about your life and friends while we were there at the hospital.”
I stop Drew before he can continue. “Drew, stop it. It’s no one’s fault. Why does everyone feel guilty about me? You guys feel guilty, when in fact, you two saved me. You took care of me when I had no one else. Julien feels guilty. Ryder feels guilty. Jayson feels guilty. So just stop. Everyone needs to stop. Please. No more guilt. This is officially a guilt-free zone from now on.”
Daniel reaches over and hugs me. We take our seats at my small eating table and I bring the phone stand over so we can continue talking to Drew.
“I do have something I would like to share with you guys.” I look at Daniel. “Ryder, the one who came with me this morning? We’re together. Dating. In a relationship. However you want to say it.” I clear my throat and take a sip of water. “I’m in love with him,” I say into my water, making eye contact with the table and not them.
Daniel pats my hand. “I know, honey.”
I look up. “You do?”
“Well, I don’t,” Drew says.
“He’s a very nice young man, Drew. I met him this morning.”
“Is he the one who was missing the other week when you were at your friends’ place?” Drew asks.
“That’s him. I know it may seem soon or too fast, but from the first moment I saw him, I just knew. My memory may not remember him, but my heart does. He told me he’s been in love with me since we were nine years old. If that doesn’t melt your heart and make you swoon, Drew, I don’t know what will.”
“Okay. I have to agree. That was completely swoon-worthy.”
“Thank you.” I smile at my phone.
“Don’t think that because Drew easily accepts your new relationship that this discussion is over,” Daniel says to me.
“Let her enjoy it, Dan. After everything, she deserves to be happy and experience young love.”
“You make me sound like I’m twelve and kissing a boy for the first time.”
“Changing the subject now,” Daniel interjects, and Drew and I both laugh. “I’m taking Elizabeth to her appointment tomorrow, but I’ll call you once we’re done. Are you being well taken care of?”
“Yes, love. The staff you hired are doing an excellent job. I went outside and enjoyed the garden today. The weather was quite mild and lovely. Wish you both were here to enjoy it, as it’s so rare an occurrence.”
“Me, too. Drew.” I link my hand with Daniel’s, knowing it must be hard to be away from his husband right now.
“I love you. Stay safe,” Daniel tells him.
“I love you too, Dan. And you too, Elizabeth. I’m happy that you’ve reconnected with a friend and found someone that cares for you as much as we do. He must be a really good guy for you to feel the way you do about him.”
“Love you, Drew. And yes, Ryder is a really great guy.”
He blows us kisses and logs off.
“Oh, Daniel,” I say sadly, squeezing his hand.
He shakes me off with a watery smile. “So, what is the plan for the rest of my visit?”
“I told Julien that we would join him for his morning runs. We meet at five sharp.”
