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I spend the rest of my Saturday morning lazily in bed after reading Harvey’s text—his parents came to get him; he’ll be back tonight.
I’m glad he’ll be with them while I have my girls’ day.
At the shopping mall after Gia picks me up, I watch her peruse clothes for Athena, whose eyes are glued to her mom’s iPad.
“I told you that nurse was trouble.” My sister frowns as she assesses a skirt for her daughter.
“You didn’t tell me she was trouble; you told me she was pretty.”
She stares at me, bewildered. “Same thing, Gemma. The whole nurse-slash-client fantasy isreal.”
I cross my arms, not wanting to have this conversation. “So... you’re saying he’s cheating.”
“Didn’t say that.” She puts the skirt back and grabs a pair of light purple leggings instead. “Just... if you guys are going through a tough time, talk to him.”
“I can’t.” My voice is barely a whisper. Gia squeezes my shoulder, and I’m so glad when she doesn’t push the subject. I think she knows. It’s obvious how much I’ve tried, how much I’ve thrown myself at his feet. Maybe that’s the problem?
I want him,this, too much.
Maybe making him jealous is exactly the light bulb he needs. But the thought of getting closer to Damon to achieve that goal doesn’t sound like a good move either.
We spend the whole day browsing for children’s andmaternity clothes before we head to a kids’ playground where Athena and I run around everywhere.
Later that night, once my niece is fast asleep in her room, Gia and I make supper, dicing bacon, chicken, mushrooms, and onions for our alfredo. I’m sipping on a chilled white wine, something I mostly only drink with Gia, and enjoying the background music and her company.
“Where’s James tonight?” I ask after cutting everything we need. Gia pours oil into the saucepan and drinks her virgin wine.
“Playing basketball with the boys.”
I nod. When in doubt, James is usually doing something involving basketball.
“How’s the boss?” she asks me, sautéing the mushrooms and onions.
I avoid her stare and try to forget that I touched his hand last night. “He’s good.”
“Better?”
“Sure, sure. He’s nicer, yeah.”
She smiles. “Well, good.”
We talk about her thesis before supper is ready and we both dig in, talking about Layla and when she’s coming back so we can help plan her wedding.
“I can’t shake this feeling that I’m having a girl. If I’m having another girl, you need to add boys to the family.”
My smile withdraws as soon as she’s spoken. She doesn’t know, so I can’t fault her; she doesn’t know how much it hurts. Our closeness apart, I haven’t told her that Harvey and I haven’t had sex since the accident.
“We aren’t ready for that yet... maybe one day,” I tell her.
“You’re right. We’re still young.”
My answer is almost immediate. “We are.”
Monday’s worse than the usual Monday. A driver splashes me while I walk with Marie to get a morning tea.
And Damon’s mood looks like it went to hell and never left.
Harvey spent most of the day yesterday drawing in his room. I was happy for that fact until he spoke a total of five words at dinner.
