A Day in a Life

Chapter Twenty-Four

Saige

E LIJAH ASKS ME to choose the restaurant since I’m familiar with the area. He tells me money is no object. Choose the best.

I decide on Blue Heaven. They have delicious food, and we’ll get to dine under the stars while listening to live music. And, of course, we’ll get to enjoy the famous key lime pie for dessert. Unless he’s sick of it.

Before we go, I ask, “Do you mind if I drop off some soup and ginger ale at Brook’s apartment? She left work early today because she’s sick. She didn’t look so good. I’m worried about her.”

“Sure, no problem.” If Elijah is upset by the delay, he doesn’t show it.

I grab several cans of ginger ale from my fridge and place them in a bag. “Her apartment’s not far from mine. There’s a restaurant on the way that has the best chicken noodle soup.”

“Let’s go,” he says, upbeat.

I’m not used to a man being so amicable. He’s pleasant to be around. But then, so was Cole in the beginning. I’m hesitant for a reason.

I drop my letter to Emma in the mailbox as we head toward the restaurant. “She’s an elderly friend of mine in California. I always keep in touch with her.”

“That’s sweet of you.”

“She’s been like a mother to me. She’s helped me so much. I can never repay her.”

“Hmm,” is all Elijah says.

When I knock on Brook’s door, she answers looking pale and weak yet dressed in a silk nightie. It’s so Brook.

“Hey, weirdo. You here to catch my sickness so you can enjoy a few days in bed too?” Brook smooths her hair when she notices Elijah, then bursts in to a coughing fit.

“That’s the plan. Now back to bed with you. I’ve brought you a large container of chicken noodle soup from Old Richard’s. It will last for several meals.”

“Their soup is to die for. Thanks, Saige. Is Elijah going to tuck me in?” Brook teases with a hoarse voice.

Elijah masks any surprise he might be feeling.

“No, he’s not, weirdo. Now go lie down. I’ll bring you the soup and some ginger ale. It’s the cure for everything.”

“There are other cures,” Brook mumbles as she heads for her bed, sneezing two times along the way.

In the kitchen, Elijah helps me find a tray, then we arrange it for Brook.

“Maybe I’ll just wait out here,” Elijah decides.

“She’s harmless, if you can handle her humor. I promise.”

I bring the tray to Brook and settle it on her lap.

“Hey,” she says, grabbing my wrist. “You’re the best. Thank you. I didn’t have the strength to get up and make myself something.”

“Get well. It’s no fun at work without you. I’ll check on you tomorrow morning, okay?”

“I can’t thank you enough. Now go enjoy that hunk of a man waiting for you.”

“We’re just going to dinner.” I sound so prim.

“Just?”

“Just,” I confirm. “But my heart’s beating so fast, I think it might burst.”

“You lucky girl. I love that feeling.” Brook fans herself, then sneezes again.

“Pray I don’t spill something or get food stuck in my teeth.”

“You won’t, silly girl. Go have fun. You deserve it more than anyone I know. Seriously, I really like him for you.”

“Thanks, Brook. Call if you need me. I’ll be right over.”

“Only come if you bring the hunk along with you,” she hollers as I leave. I hear her coughing as I lock the front door behind me.

“She’s…quite the girl,” Elijah comments politely.

“It’s okay, you can say it. She has no filter. If she thinks it, she says it. But that’s not really who she is. Brook is all talk. She’s loyal and has been a great friend to me.”

AT BLUE HEAVEN , we’re seated at a semi-private table, thanks to the foliage. We can hear the music, but it’s not so loud that we can’t talk. It’s perfect. Actually, he’s perfect. I thought he’d not just walk, but run out my door when I told him how I felt about not breaking my wedding vows. Even though Cole already broke them, and I’m sure he’s been breaking them all this time.

Now I have a pressing reason to finalize our divorce. At least, I hope I do.

“So, Saige Riley, how did you end up with a man who cheated on you? Before you answer, I would like to add that he’s an idiot.”

Hmm. I think I was the idiot, but I don’t say so aloud. “I was young when I married him. He was several years older than me. He had a successful career. He seemed sophisticated, polished, and charming. I mean, I knew he was the country club type, which isn’t really my scene, but he had charisma. He knew what to say and when to say it. And I fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker. It didn’t take long for me to realize he was actually fake, self-centered, all about appearances, and controlling. Even before I found out he was cheating on me, I think we were headed for divorce. But I was trying to save our marriage, make it work, because…isn’t that what you do when you’ve made a commitment? You try harder.”

“That tells me a lot about you. What were you like as a child?”

“Boring. I loved to paint, and I spent hours by myself in our attic creating monstrosities that I labeled as masterpieces.”

“You were practicing to become what you are today.”

“Still an artist with an attic full of paintings.” Same as always.

Elijah laughs. “That’s not what I meant. Your potential is huge. I think you should go for it.”

I circle the rim of my glass with my index finger. The last thing I want is another person telling me what to do.

He seems to sense my trepidation. “I mean, if that’s what you want. Otherwise, you can die as an old lady with a gold mine in her attic. Your choice.”

“Do you really feel that way?” If things work out between us, will his feelings change?

“What do you mean?”

“That it’s my choice what I do with my paintings.”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” He studies me with a look of confusion.

“What if I never choose to go public?”

Elijah appears to be thinking it through. “It would be a shame. But I would respect your decision.”

“Hmmmm.” He doesn’t know that’s the answer I wanted to hear.

There’s a hugely pregnant woman with a little girl who looks to be about six or seven sitting at a table within my view. I can’t stop staring at them, wishing, wondering. She’d be about the same age as…

“Saige?”

“Yes?”

“You were a million miles away.”

“Sorry.”

Elijah turns to see what I was staring at. A concerned look crosses his features but disappears quickly. He doesn’t know. No one knows. I don’t talk about it.

“When do you think a baby becomes a human being?” I blurt. “I’m not talking about the pro-life versus pro-choice argument. I’m just wondering what your opinion is?”

“That’s an interesting question,” he says thoughtfully.

“Sorry, I know it was a bit random. It’s something that’s been on my mind lately.” Actually, all the time. Cole thought our baby was a nothing until it was born. I strongly disagree. If I’m going to start a new relationship, I need to know we feel the same. It’s important to me.

“My opinion?” Elijah says. “From the moment of conception. I felt my nephew kicking and moving in my sister’s belly. He was filled with life. It was amazing.”

“Really? That’s what I believe too.” I know it from experiencing it firsthand.

“Does that surprise you?” he asks.

“Everything about you surprises me.” Like the fact that he wants to spend time with me . He’s a twist in my life I didn’t see coming.

“In a good way?”

“Yes. In an amazing way.” I’m still shocked he chose me.

Our dinner arrives then. He chose the barbequed shrimp and I chose the pork tenderloin. My mouth waters from the aroma alone.

We’re quiet for a while as we concentrate on eating.

“Are you close with your family, Elijah? And do you go by Elijah or Eli?”

“Yes and both. I’ll answer to either one. I’m close with my mom and dad, as well as my sister, Emersyn. She’s the one who made me an uncle, and I adore my nephew, Charles. We call him Chas. Did you know Chas used to be a common nickname for people named Charles? It’s not as popular nowadays.”

“I didn’t know that. I love it.” We polish off our dinners with a few “mmms” between us. “By the way, I have tomorrow off.”

Elijah stills. “You do?”

“Yep.”

“Would you like to spend the day together?”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” I’m trying not to show how excited I am by the thought.

“Is that a yes?”

“That’s a huge yes.” The biggest yes in the world.

“I love a huge yes,” he says with a smile.

After we enjoy the key lime pie, Elijah asks me to dance.

“ Can you dance?” I question.

“I can slow dance, if you’re willing to symbolically be my cane.”

“I’ve secretly always wanted to be a cane. The life of a cane looks exciting. You’re never alone and always needed.”

Elijah laughs at my dumb joke. “C’mon. If it’s the only acceptable way for me to hold you in my arms, I’m not missing this chance.”

He takes me in his arms, the first time we’ve ever been this close by choice. He does lean on me for support, but it’s not bad. He pulls me close until we’re cheek to cheek. His sunburn already looks much better, thanks to the aloe. I’m still careful where I touch him.

I close my eyes as we sway to the music, and I dream of the day when I’m free from Cole. I’d like to pull Elijah so close that our bodies are touching, so close that we become one.

Elijah is wearing the same hint of cologne I noticed before. It sets my senses on fire. This is dangerous. I’m vulnerable, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been in a man’s arms.

Oh, how I would love to turn my face to his and let our lips melt together in a searing kiss. I’d like to bury my hands in his thick hair, run my hands up and down his back, and massage his shoulders.

My imagination is going on a trip I can’t take.

All of those things are for another day. Something to look forward to with great anticipation.