“Really?”
“Kelli, seriously, it was the best.”
“I’m sorry I missed it, especially since I was lying in a hospital bed.”
“Speaking of that, when will you be back in the office?”
“I’ll probably work from home this coming week. I feel pretty wretched, and I look worse.”
“I’m sure you look gorgeous as always, but I do hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you.”
From there, we said our goodbyes. I hung up with her, feeling even more peaceful than before. I was so happy I didn’t have to go back to that bimbo in the office.
While I had my phone in my hand, I decided to call Amanda. I really needed her advice about Ian. She was going to flip when I told her that Ian was still in love with me. That was after she rubbed in how right she was.
She picked up on the first ring. “Are you okay?”
“I’m alive. How’s Disney World?”
“You know, it’s lost a lot of the appeal it used to have when we were kids, but the girls are having a great time, so it makes it all worth it.”
I smiled to myself. Amanda was such a good mom.
“So, tell me how you are. I mean, of course, Ian has been keeping us updated, but I’ve been worried about you.”
Why didn’t it surprise me that Ian had been giving them updates? “Really sis, I’m fine, but I wanted to talk to you about Ian. Do you have a moment?”
“Uh, yeah. Spill your guts. I’ve been waiting to get the scoop. Zane wants to know too.”
Of course, he did. I’m surprised he hadn’t called Ian himself since they were buddies now.
“So . . . Ian wants to get back together, and he may have said he still loves me.”
“I knew it! Zane,” Amanda yelled, “we were right. He’s totally in love with her.” I could hear Zane laughing in the background.
“Now that you got that out of your system, tell me what to do.”
She thought for a moment. “Oh honey, only you can answer that. But I think you know what to do, you’re just afraid. And rightly so. But I will say this, ever since he’s come back, I see that spark in your eyethat’s been missing for a long time. And for what it’s worth, Zane really likes him.”
“Well, that cinches it.”
She laughed. “I’m glad your sass is still alive and well.”
“I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. Listen to your heart. It hasn’t steered you wrong yet.”
I leaned back on the pillows on my bed and let out a slow breath as I contemplated what to do. I thought about making a pros and cons list, but Ian would probably find it and talk me out of all the cons.
I spent the rest of the morning watching reruns ofFriendsand snuggling Charlie. I also had to do the exercises my doctor gave me for my arm. I might have cried out in pain a time or two, but at least I could use it. It made bathing and doing my hair and make-up so much easier, although I’m not sure why I bothered with make-up; half of my face still looked like Sam and Court’s old finger paintings.
Ian didn’t seem to mind the bruises. He had been kissing them all weekend, as if he could make it better. I wish. I knew he blamed himself for the accident, though it was clearly the truck driver’s fault for running the red light. But Ian kept saying he was distracted. I reminded him that we were both arguing at the time, so it was my fault too. He wouldn’t allow me to take any of the blame. I had a feeling he blamed Alexa and it’s why he was so harsh with her. I’ll admit I was okay with that, especially because she was playing him, not to mention she was a terrible designer. It made me wonder if I should show him my designs now.
Just watching TV and the few exercises I had to do left me feeling exhausted. The doctor said it would take my body a while to heal, but it made me feel pathetic. I also wondered if it was pathetic how much I couldn’t wait for Ian to return. Maybe the better question would be, was it pathetic that I was even willing to consider letting him back into my heart? The heart he tore apart, that never fully mended. And what about the fact that he was my boss? It’s not that I had never had a relationship with someone I worked with, but dating the boss’s son was a tad different than dating the boss. Ian insisted it wouldn’t be an issueas long as we kept our professional and personal relationships separate. To me, that was easier said than done, especially since I wasn’t good at compartmentalizing like he was.
I only got a few episodes in before there was a knock on my door. I extricated myself from Charlie and got up to answer the door with a little flutter in my heart. With anticipation, I opened the door, expecting to see Ian, which I did, but his surprise was more than surprising. She didn’t hesitate for a second, she threw her arms around me. “Kelli!”
