I knelt gently beside her bed and looked deep into her eyes. “Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night, and your debt will be paid in full,” I said with a wink.
“Well… we do have to pick a venue tomorrow. Maybe we can try their food as a taste-test before choosing one,” she suggested.
“I can’t believe how brilliant you are. You’re still thinking about planning the anniversary while lying in the hospital!”
“Life doesn’t stop moving just because some douche drugged you at a restaurant,” she responded with a dry chuckle.
We shared a nervous laugh, and silence descended again. I looked into her beautiful eyes and wanted so much to kiss her, but she was vulnerable and frail right now. I stood up, looking around the room for the plates. “I need more pizza,” I blurted, my nervousness coming through. Sasha was so perceptive, and I hoped she didn’t notice.
She giggled. “Get me a slice too?”
“Sure. I warn you, though. This pizza is the best. Once you have it, you’ll never go back to any other pizza,” I teased.
“Right,” she said skeptically. She took a bite, and with her mouth full, she mumbled around the bite, “Oh goodness, it is good. My mom has great taste.”
“Actually, I recommended it to her,” I said proudly. Eddy and the rest of the family returned. My heart had been hammering so hard that a sheen of sweat had formed on my face.
Eddy grinned evilly. “Are you okay, dude? It looks like you just ran a marathon.”
“Yeah. It’s just been a long night and day,” I replied uncomfortably.
“It could have been even longer, though. I am so glad Sasha is okay,” Eddy responded.
“Me too. Me fucking too, man.”
I left the hospital that night sure of one thing— I loved Sasha. I always had, and I always would. Almost losing her made me realize so much. I had to do the right thing immediately and tell Monnie, so I texted her that I was stopping by. This would be hard to do, but it had to be done. She was already waiting for me, with candles lit and wearing a sexy outfit. She walked up to me and massaged my shoulders, her smoldering gaze never leaving me.
“We need to talk,” I said.
“About?” Monnie asked, one perfect eyebrow lifted.
I told her what had happened to Sasha, and she looked genuinely concerned, which made me feel a bit guilty. I sat down and poured myself some wine. “She’s fine, luckily.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Actually, she’s kind of what I have to talk to you about.”
“Alright. Go for it.”
“I love her. I never got over her. Almost losing her made me realize that.”
Monnie smirked. “Dude. You think I didn’t know that?”
I blinked. “Uh. No, I didn’t know. How did you know?”
“It’s obvious, and it’s cool! I mean, I have some feelings for you, but I have feelings for a lot of people. It’s all good, boo.”
“Obvious how?”
“Don’t you realize how often you bring her up? I mean, you did it before she was here in person. I knew when she got here some feelings would probably surface. But like I said, it’s cool. We played, and I had fun.”
“Oh… thank God. I thought you’d be… upset.”
“Well, we have great sex, so I’m not thrilled. But I have a lot of lovers and haven’t settled on one in particular yet. You always knew that, and I always knew you would eventually settle with someone.”
“So I’m not the man of your dreams?” I asked with a wicked grin.
“Not even close.”
SASHA
“When I heard about what had happened, I had to make sure you were okay. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here while you were in the hospital.” Allison had come to visit me all the way from Philly. Her friendship never ceased to amaze me.
“Seriously. It’s fine. I can’t believe you came at all with your exhibition coming up.”
“New York is a great place for inspiration. My time here will not be wasted.”
We sat in my room. My mom had taken the day off to be with me and was downstairs, making lunch. There was a planner spread out in front of me, outlined neatly with my handwriting.
“You’re still planning this anniversary even though you almost died,” she commented with a shake of her head.
“Of course. And now that you’re here, I need you to help me pick out decorations,” I smiled.
“I can certainly give my artistic expertise,” she teased.
“As soon as we eat, we’re going shopping for the perfect pieces. I have to get this right,” I mused, biting my lip. There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
My mother strolled in, carrying a platter of finger sandwiches and soup. “Chicken salad and ham sandwiches with chicken soup,” she announced, setting the platter down on my desk.
“Thanks, Mom.” I sat up in my bed. My appetite had been ravenous since I’d gotten out of the hospital.
“Thank you so much for coming.” Mom turned to Allison and squeezed her in a hug.
“Seriously, how could I not? I always feast whenever I’m here. It’s important for a starving artist, you know,” Allison replied jokingly.
My mother chuckled and turned to me. “I’m going out with your dad later. Are you sure you don’t want to take today off? Really, there’s no rush.”
“This is important. We have to get this right,” I replied.
“You’re the best daughter a mom could ask for. But don’t overdo it,” she said with a concerned look. “Make sure she doesn’t get carried away. You know what a perfectionist she can be.” She addressed this admonition to Allison, half joking and half serious.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Meade, I’ll make sure.” Allison nodded for emphasis.
“Okay, see you guys later.” She left us to ourselves, waving her fingers as she closed the door. Allison served me a chicken salad sandwich and handed me a bowl of soup. The taste of the cool salad in contrast to the warmth of the soup was incredible. My mom was the best cook.
“Okay,” I said with a full mouth. “Game plan. We eat, and then we go to Manhattan. We have an appointment with an event planner. Pass me a ham sandwich?”
The meat was fresh, and everything was crisp and perfect. I still felt a bit light-headed from my ordeal, so I took a bite, hoping the protein would help me feel better. “I’m really glad that you’re here… Thank you so much.”
“What are friends for?”
“Well, you’re the best one anyone could ask for.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Sasha. Seriously, it could have been bad… But it wasn’t, and I am so happy for that.”
“I am too. I am so thankful for Shane… I mean, he’s grown up so much. He’s not as much of a jerk-head as he used to be.”
She smirked at me. “Jerk-head?”
“Yeah… I used to always call him that.”
“Creative. I can tell you like him, though.”
I blushed. “Stop. Bad territory. I am not in the mood.”