Chapter Ten

Taylor

 

              Mrs. Hannah sat in my big comfy chair hugging one of the bright colored pillows as she spoke. It was her second visit in a week, and after listening to the stress she lived under, it surprised me she wasn’t scheduled for more visits. “I think you are a very strong woman. Don’t underestimate your ability to cope with stress,” I told her with a smile.

“You know, just hearing those affirmations helps me more than you’ll ever know,” she gushed.

It was nice to know that my method of counseling was helping her, especially after only seeing her twice. “I look forward to next week. I used to dread these sessions,” she winced, and then brightened up quickly with a smile.

I could only imagine how Mitchell handled her issues. Probably like most men who see a woman stressed out, telling her to relax, take a nap, or to try medication. I smiled, stood, and shook her hand as she said her goodbyes.

“Have a good weekend,” she waved as she exited my office. She closed the door behind her, leaving me to ponder what I was going to do for two days without work. I knew I planned on bringing home some of the files of the new patients Mitchell passed on to me, but other than that, I had no plans.

Elijah hadn’t contacted me since our night out, our dinner, our date. Whatever it was. It most likely wasn’t a date since he hadn’t called, or at least sent a text since.

He was probably busy with the house, trying his best to get it fixed in record time so he could run back to the states. He probably had someone in Miami waiting on him anyways.

I packed up my briefcase, locked up my office, and walked out to my car. Mitchell was still in a session, and I didn’t feel like waiting around to tell him goodbye. I drove away from the office and almost made it past Madison’s bakery, but I couldn’t resist. My stomach started growling as soon as I pulled into her parking lot and got the first whiff of the delicious sweet treats she’d baked inside.

“Taylor,” she waved, quickly greeting me as I walked into her store. Her hair was pulled back into a net, and the apron she wore was covered in chocolate icing. “New creation?” I chuckled, motioning to her mess.

“Yes, chocolate-covered Twinkies, deep fried, and then sprinkled with powdered sugar,” she exclaimed, her eyes widening as she spoke.

It was no wonder her hips were wide, and her arms were beginning to thicken. I knew I’d already gained three or four pounds since discovering her bakery. “Mad scientist, always at work,” she laughed, reaching behind her to untie the apron. “You seem down; what’s wrong?” Madison asked, pulling the net from her curly red hair. “Hasn’t he called yet?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t expect him to,” I lied.

“Men: they are a pain in our ass,” she scoffed, and then pulled my hand as she walked towards a table in the back. “I’m so irritated with Joey right now, I could spit,” Madison griped as she slid into one of the small café style chairs.

 “What’s wrong?” I asked, not really sure I wanted to know. Joey was a jerk, that much I already knew, but I couldn’t tell Madison that, even if she was mad at him. I sat down, pulled out my counseling ears, and listened.

Madison complained about his behavior, saying he was distant and acting strange. “Now that Johnny’s single, he wants to run around with him. I need my freedom, he tells me. Can you believe that?” she went on.

It was becoming clear why she was so quick to set me up with Johnny; apparently this isn’t the first time Joey has followed his brother’s dating status. It was difficult to listen to Madison telling me how many times Joey had broken up with her, just so he could go out and chase women with his brother. “As soon as Johnny finds someone, he comes crawling back,” she smirked as if that made her proud.

“Why do you keep letting him come back?” I asked, knowing I needed to be very careful not to cross the bounds of our friendship. Women were often very defensive of their men, especially when their behavior was less than desirable, and I knew Madison had a history of chasing the bad boys.

“He loves me,” she sighed, her face not matching her words. I could see the stress, the pain in her eyes, but I knew better than to push it any further.

“I’m sorry, Madison,” I consoled, refusing to fall into the trap where I give her advice she doesn’t take, and then resents me for years to come.

My mind drifted to Elijah, secretly wishing he would call. I’d love to see him again. Maybe I should call him? I’m a strong, independent woman; there’s no reason why I can’t take the lead, is there? I knew I wasn’t bold enough.

Madison was ranting about Joey flirting with a waitress while they were out the other night, and I was trying to look as if I was listening, even though I’d tuned out most of what she said. “Please come out with us tonight,” she asked. That I heard.

“Us?” I questioned.

“Yeah, Joey, Johnny, and me,” she explained. Hell no!

“I really don’t want to lead him on. There’s nothing about him that I like,” I asserted, realizing honesty may be the only way out of this. “He was kind of a jerk,” I added.

“I know he is. I’m sorry I tried to set you up with him. I thought he’d changed, or that he would for a good woman like you. I just really need him distracted so Joey will pay attention to me again,” she whined.

I hated to see Madison upset. What could it hurt? “Okay, but I’m not dressing up, and I’m not putting up with his bad behavior. If he does or says anything inappropriate, I’m gonna tell him, and I may end up leaving,” I warned her.

“Okay, okay,” she blurted, nearly jumping out of her seat to hug me around my neck. “You’re the best. I’ll owe you one,” she promised.

As I left the bakery, my skin crawled at the thought of what I’d agreed to. Why would I want Joey to pay attention to her? He was just as big a jerk as his brother. She’d be better off if he left her alone. Ugh!

As I walked into my front door, my phone started ringing. I reached into my purse, pulled it out, and smiled as Elijah’s name came across the screen. “Hello,” I answered.

“Hello there. How are you?” he asked, his voice deep and seductive.

“I’m great. I made it through my first week without destroying anyone’s life,” I joked.

“Good girl. I made it up the mountain to see Xander without destroying my life,” he chuckled.

“Oh wow. How was he? And, was it as bad as you thought, getting there?” I replied.

“Xander is great; better than great actually. And, yes, it was much worse,” he sighed.

I fell onto the couch, sinking into the cushions while he told me all about his trek up the mountain and his encounter with a tarantula. “That’s why I haven’t called; I’m really sorry. My back was in bad shape after that, and I was lucky to get six hours of work in at the house before falling face down on my hotel bed,” he explained.

“Hotel bed? You’re not staying at the house?” I questioned.

“No,” he replied with no further explanation as to why. Are the memories that bad?

My heart ached for Elijah. I wanted to reach out and wrap my arms around him. Damn, I wished I could see him. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked, making my wish come true, and crushing it instantly when I realized what I’d promised.

“I’m going out with Madison,” I sighed.

“You sound really excited about that,” he laughed.

I explained the situation, figuring he’d think I was an idiot for agreeing to go again. “You’re a good friend,” he said sweetly.

“I feel like a good friend would tell her to dump her idiot of a boyfriend,” I groaned.

“Oh no! That’s how you lose friends. They always end up taking the idiot’s side over yours,” he chuckled.

He wasn’t wrong. That’s why I’d kept my mouth shut. Madison was my only friend on the island, besides Elijah, and he was leaving in a few weeks.

“Well, how about I take you to a nice dinner tomorrow night to make up for your bad double date,” he asked.

“Please don’t call it a date,” I moaned. “But, I would love to have dinner with you tomorrow,” I added.

“Good, then it’s a date. Wait, am I not allowed to call tonight a date, or tomorrow a date? Or neither?” he teased playfully.

My heart raced. He called it a date. “Just tonight; that’s certainly not a date,” I smiled.