Charlie leaned over and hugged her fiercely, blinking back tears. “I’m mad, too. And I’m mad at myself I didn’t hear your phone call. I could’ve lost you. What would I do without my sister?”
“I don’t know, I think you’d be better off.”
“First of all, the drink. Don’t you know—”
“Yes, I know. I know I should never drink something that was left on the table. But, Asher was there. I would’ve thought he’d watch it.”
“For all you know, he did it. You don’t even know him.”
“The police don’t think he did it. But you’re right—I didn’t know him. I was...
I don’t know... I was flattered, I guess. All the girls liked him, and he picked me. At the time, it seemed really great. I was blinded by his petty star status. I can’t believe it, now.”
“So, tell me about Spencer. I know he was there. I know he saw you. Steven told me, despite everything, Spencer ended up giving you CPR and saving your life. So, what’s the deal? After all that, you don’t like him? You still want to be friends—nothing more?”
“No... I... That is, yes. I like him. I really do. But, it’s too late. I finally realized it, but it’s too late. I was so awful. I lied to him, and I hurt him.” She turned her head away. “I don’t even think we can be friends, now. And I’ve probably lost Grace as well.”
“You haven’t lost me yet,” said a voice from the doorway. Grace’s face appeared around the door. “I was eavesdropping. I could apologize and say I’m sorry, but it wouldn’t be true.” One corner of her mouth kicked up in a smile. “You know how nosey I am.”
“Hi, I’m Charlie. You must be Grace. Have you come to help me yell at my sister?”
“Absolutely.” Grace moved to stare down at Emily with her arms on her hips. “It’ll be so much more fun to do it together.”
Emily felt tears welling up. “I’m so sorry. You have every right to hate me. I know I do—I hate myself.”
“Oh, no,” said Grace. “You will not feel sorry for yourself. No one hates you, and you know it. If you’d seen my brother last night, you’d know he doesn’t hate you. Crying while he gave you CPR. Sitting by your bed for hours holding your hand. Quite the opposite—I think he’s in love with you.”
“He can’t be,” Emily declared. “He’s too good for me. Even if he does love me, I don’t deserve him—not anymore.”
“Last night, I was inclined to agree. But my opinion is subject to change. It all depends on what you do next.”
“But, it’s too late. I saw his face. I hurt him. He thinks... I mean, he knows he can’t trust me. He knows I lied to him. I don’t even think he likes me anymore, and I really can’t believe he loves me.”
“Oh, I think you’re partially right,” said Grace. “I don’t think he likes you right now. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.” She paused while her words sunk in. “So the question is... What are you going to do about it?”
*****
Spencer came home from work and ate dinner while watching a movie. Then he took two Benadryl and went to bed early. He congratulated himself on finishing his Friday without thinking about Emily. Well, not too much. Maybe he did wonder a bit about how she was doing, but he refused to call her. He wouldn’t lower himself. If she needed someone to check on her, she could get Asher Denning to do it.
His phone rang, and he felt a flash of disappointment when he saw Grace’s name rather than Emily’s on the caller ID. He pushed that emotion down, concentrating on his anger.
“Hey, Gracie. How are you? Did you get some sleep?”
“I did. I slept ‘til eleven o’clock. What about you?”
“Nah. I couldn’t sleep, so I went to work.”
“You haven’t slept at all?”
“No, but I’m going to bed now. So, I’ll make up for it.”
“Now? At seven o’clock?”
“Yeah. I’m already in bed.”
“So, uhmm... I went up to the hospital this afternoon.”
His heart sped up. How was she? Was she in pain? Was she sorry? Did she even remember what had happened? He spoke slowly, careful to keep the emotion out of his voice. “Oh. That’s good, I guess.”