“Is something wrong with your dad?”
She heard Liam swallow before he said, “He’s had a heart attack.”
She pushed herself upright. “Oh, Liam—”
He held up a hand that looked reassuringly steady in the shadows. “Maura said they’re cautiously optimistic about his recovery at this point, but she thought I would want to know. I think I should go there.”
“Of course you should!” Climbing out of the bed, she turned on the lights, squinting a little until her eyes adjusted. She watched as he pulled his bags out of the closet. Thinking of everything she had to do during the next two weeks, she drew a deep breath and asked, “Do you want me to come with you?”
He stilled in the process of taking shirts from hangers. His eyes were soft when he looked at her. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you offered—but, no. There’s no need for that.”
“You’re sure? Because Haley could take notes for me.”
He shook his head firmly, returning to his packing. “You keep up with your classes and I’ll take care of my dad. I’ll call, of course.”
“Yes, please do. I’ll be worried.”
Forty-five minutes later, showered, shaved and dressed, Liam packed his bags in his car, then returned to make sure he had everything and to kiss Anne goodbye. “I’ll call when I get there.”
“All right. Have a safe trip.”
He held her tightly for a long hug, then reluctantly let her go. “Try to get some more sleep. You need the rest.”
With that, he let himself out, closing the door quietly behind him.
Her arms locked across her chest, Anne blinked back tears as she stared blindly at that closed door. She wasn’t entirely sure Liam would return to Little Rock once he’d assured himself that his father no longer needed him. Especially after the silly quarrel they’d had before dinner. He would just as likely decide that he should go back to his own apartment in New York, that his little experiment of living with her had not worked out as he’d hoped.
It hadn’t escaped her attention that he’d taken everything with him when he departed, leaving an emptiness inside her that felt much larger than the gap in her closet. Maybe he had privately realized he couldn’t work here, after all. She was aware of just how little he’d accomplished during the past week, though he hadn’t been willing to discuss his progress—or lack thereof.
Maybe he was tired of hiding behind doors whenever her doorbell rang. Or sitting alone in her apartment while she spent hours in classes and with her study group. She certainly couldn’t blame him for that.
Wiping her damp cheeks with an impatient hand, she turned away from the door and moved toward the kitchen. She might as well make a pot of coffee. She couldn’t sleep now, anyway.
She had just poured her first, fragrant cup when it occurred to her that this was Valentine’s Day.
Swearing beneath her breath, she told herself it didn’t matter. It was a silly, made-up holiday, anyway, and Liam had much more important things on his mind. They both did.
She carried the cup to the table, set it down with a thump and opened her laptop. She had to study; she didn’t have time to stand there and sniffle.
But she really was going to miss him.
The phone rang at just after noon, drawing Anne out of her perusal of a drawing of the male reproductive system. She’d already been studying for almost eight hours, even though she hadn’t even had lunch yet. She was getting tired after so little sleep, but she’d figured she might as well study another hour or so, then take a brief nap before diving in again.
She snatched up her phone and checked the ID screen, trying to keep any trace of disappointment out of her voice when she answered, “Haley. How was the date?”
“I had a great time. Kris is really nice. Very funny. There was this really cute thing he said during dinner…”
Pushing her computer aside, Anne sat back in her chair to listen to her friend’s step-by-step description of last night’s successful first date. She didn’t mind the interruption. She and Haley had grown very close during the past couple of years, bonding through the unique stress only another medical student could completely understand, and she treasured their friendship.
Which only made her feel guiltier for not telling Haley about Liam, she thought with an uncomfortable squirm in her chair. As time had passed since they’d started studying together, it had become too awkward to admit she’d been married all along. Maybe she would confide in Haley soon. Haley would certainly keep her secret.
Anne thought it might feel good to unload. Though honestly, today she had no idea what she would say.
Haley was still chatting when the doorbell rang twenty minutes later.
“There’s someone at my door, Haley. I’ll see you in class tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure. See you, Anne.”