Page 135 of Red King
“Hi, Sue.” I wave at a doctor I know but keep walking. I really don’t want to talk to her or anyone.
“Pais,” someone shouts, but I don’t turn to look. If they’re using the shortened version of my name, they’re friends with Jim. Or a colleague of Jim. I’m in no mood.
I’m going to stick to my plan and leave as soon as the service is over. I quickly duck into the church as the head of the surgical department points at me, elbowing his wife.
“I wish this was over already,” I whisper to Becs as she and Dave reach me.
“You’re doing great. You look great. I’m proud of you.” She squeezes my arm. “It’s a great way to show that you’re over him. That you’ve moved on.”
I can think of a better way. Of course, my mind wanders straight to Arctic, but I force myself to stop already.
We take a seat toward the back. The church fills up within the next five minutes. The minister walks onto the podium, which is raised above the congregation. There are flowers everywhere. They line the pews and adorn the altar, too. Jim and Lexi stand from their place in the first row and make their way to the podium.
A smiling Lexi is radiant, as always, dressed in white, as is the baby. Little Solomon has an antique-looking lace blanket draped over him. Jim is wearing a gray suit. He is smiling, his hand on his wife’s back. They look like the perfect family.
I feel a pang, but not because I want to be back with Jim. My mind goes back to thoughts of Arctic. It won’t get the memo, so I force myself to concentrate on the christening instead.
Once Lexi and Jim are in place, the minister begins to speak, and everyone quietens down.
His voice booms through the church, “Welcome, everyone, to the christening of baby Solomon James Harper. Son of Jim Shawn Harper and Lexi Harper. We are gathered here…”
I declined the interview for the position in Australia. I can’t go over there. Not now. Besides, who will hire me now that I’m pregnant?
I might look for a casual position at my old hospital where I fill in when required. It would be shift-to-shift. The pay is good, and I wouldn’t have to commit to anything long-term. The thought of seeing Jim on the regular has me holding back. Also, it feels too much like taking a step back.
I’ve started looking at two-bedroom apartments with short-term rentals. I’d like to move back into my own place when the lease expires. I need an interim solution. I can’t stay at Becs and Dave’s place for much longer.
I love them both dearly, and as much as they both keep telling me I can…I can’t. I need my own space, and they need theirs.
The congregation stands, and we sing a song from the sheet that was handed to us at the door. When we finish, we sit.
“It is customary for…” the minister goes on.
There’s a stir through the church. People next to us and on the other side of the aisle are turning back and staring. They’re nudging and whispering. Sparking people in front of us to turn around as well.
I feel a prickle go right up my spine.
It’s a prickle of awareness. I don’t have to turn to know who is there. In fact, I don’t want to. I do it anyway, and there he is.
“What the…?” I whisper under my breath.
It’s Arctic. He’s in one of his signature suits and takes up almost the whole entryway to the church, which is massive. Light streams in from behind him.
For a few moments, it feels like I might be dreaming. I even blink a few times, but he’s still there, and he’s not just a figment of my imagination.
What? How?
He looks bigger out here in real life among us mere humans. No wonder they call usmerehumans…orpunyhumans ortimidhumans.
We are all of those things…because look at him. Just look. My mouth is gaping, but I can’t close it.
His eyes are so much more vivid blue than I remembered. His suit pulls tight around his biceps and thighs. His shoulders are impossibly broad, and his hips narrow. He must be close to seven feet tall. He has to be.
Arctic is even more gorgeous than I remembered him to be. Larger than life itself. My heart stutters. My hands turn clammy. I can hardly breathe.
“Holy shit!” Becs splutters. “Who invited the celebrity? That guy must be a rock star…or a movie star…he has to be one of the two. Surely. Do you know him?” she asks, narrowing her eyes. “Is he a friend of Jim’s?”
Everyone is speaking at once. It’s suddenly noisy in the quaint church.
