I swallowed, licking my dry lips. "I must have caught something. I'm home sick. Been sick all weekend."
"What's the matter? A cold? Is there a flu going around?"
"Must be. I stayed home today, but I'll see how I am tomorrow and go to work if I feel better."
"Are you sure everything's all right? Do you need me to get anything for you?"
"No, really. I'm fine. Thanks, Daddy."
"Take care, doll."
I hung up, and just lay back in bed, covering my face from the light.
The next morning I called in sick again and slept in. Around eleven, the phone rang again. I checked the caller ID and it was Lara.
"Kate," she said, her voice sounding concerned. "I had to fess up to Drake that I talked to you about all this. He's coming over to speak to you as soon as he's done with surgery this morning. Please, keep in mind what I said and don't listen to him. He's being irrational. Just get out of your apartment, don't be there. If you do run into him, be hard and say you've come to your senses. I know you're upset about this. Drake told me he talked to your father about you, and your dad said you were sick and that he thought you were upset that things didn't work out. I couldn't lie to him. Please, do the right thing."
"Lara…" I said, shaking my head. "I miss him so much."
She exhaled loudly. "You are both crazy. Don't say I didn't warn you but seriously Kate, if you care about Drake you won't encourage him. Do you understand?"
"I know you're right," I said, exhaling in exasperation. "I'll make sure I'm out of the apartment when he comes by."
"Thank you. His reputation is worth more than one sub. Kate, I've seen too many powerful men fall over a simple affair. It's not worth it. Think of the guilt you'll feel if anything happens to him because you encouraged him."
"I won't be here when he comes by, Lara. Don't worry."
I hung up and went to the shower. If I had to go out, I had to at least clean myself up enough that I didn't look like an escaped mental patient. I quickly dressed and dried my hair and gathered up my bag. It was 11:45 and I expected that Drake would be done his surgery soon. I had to leave.
I went across the street once more to the deli and took my place in the window seat, ordering a cup of tea and toast with jam, the first thing I'd eaten beyond Cheerios and milk for three days.
At about 12:20, he drove up and once more double-parked. He went to the door, and just then, a resident exited the building and Drake took the handle and went inside.
Damn… They shouldn't have let him in, but I suspected when they saw his scrubs and lab coat, they let him in, instinctively trusting a physician. After a few moments, he came back out and pulled out his phone and entered something. In a moment, my phone buzzed and I took it out.
Drake Morgan, MD.
I ignored the call. He called back. He sat on the steps and called, over and over. Then he texted me.
Kate, I know everything. I talked to Lara and she http://www.amazon.com/The-Agreement-ebook/dp/B00C2YRAQE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364521513&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Agreement+s.+E.+lundconfessed that she guilted you into saying goodbye to me. I was confused the other day when you claimed not to feel anything for me. I tried not to respond – to respect your wishes. In truth, I was hurt.
Talk to me. Please. I'm not letting you run away just to protect me from something that might never happen. It's up to me what risks I take in my life, not you.
Your father is worried about you. He says you've been sick all weekend. You know what I think? I think you're upset about this. Maybe as upset as I am.
Kate, please… Don't give up on this – on us – without a fight.
I felt incredibly sad to see him sitting on my steps, texting me when I was sitting across the street, watching him. I thought about what Lara said – that it would be on my conscience if I encouraged him. That I would regret my decision to be with him if anything happened to hurt his reputation but his words made my eyes tear up, my throat constrict.
He was upset. I hurt him by what I said.
I scanned the street, checking to see if Dawn was hanging around, but they were pretty empty.
I'm in the deli across the street from you.
He glanced up and my heart did a flip when I felt his gaze come to rest on me, sitting there in the bay window at a tiny table for two. He stood up and made a beeline for me, his expression so intense, his face so dark, it almost scared me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN