Chapter 24

Between working in my kitchen at home and trying to get caught up at work, the rest of the week was over before I knew it. Jake had a full day of appointments that he'd ended up having to cancel because of the storm and it took every moment of free time that Alejandra and I had between clients to get those appointments rescheduled. I wasn't complaining, though. This time of the year it was normal for us to see a drop in clients. The lull usually lasted for a week or two before things really started to ramp up for the upcoming holidays. Normally Alejandra and I used this time to reorganize and archive patient files and deep clean the office, and while all that still needed to be done, I was grateful for the opportunity to stay busy in between.

True to her word, Maddie sent out a group text Thursday night, and we all agreed to meet at Perk You Up Coffee on 5th and Main after work on Friday. Thankfully, the snowstorm had finally fizzled out by mid-afternoon Thursday, but it was going to take everyone a while to dig out. It had dumped several feet over the course of the past few days, and by the time people shoveled their sidewalks and driveways, the banks were almost waist high.

Although Jake's timing had seriously been off, I would be forever grateful to him for helping me shovel all that snow. It would have taken me hours just to do my driveway and honestly, I probably would've given up long before it was done. And once I'd distanced myself from Erik and my made-up feelings that he would be mad that I'd abandoned our project to go spend time with someone else, I'd actually had a lot of fun. It had been a long time since I'd been able to flirt and tease with someone. It was nice to let loose and just let myself enjoy the moment.

The storm may have let up, but it had left temperatures in the single digits in its wake. A cold blast of frigid air hit me full on in the face as soon as I stepped out of my Jeep and stole the breath from my lungs. Tightening down the hood of my coat I tucked my chin and shuffled through the icy parking lot as fast as I could without slipping. The air inside the coffee shop was warm and inviting, filled with all the wonderful smells of freshly ground beans and brewed coffee. Tossing my hood back, I spied Rochelle sitting at one of the tables in the back corner. She waved when she saw me. I waved back and then pointed to the counter to indicate that I was going to order first. She nodded in acknowledgement, and I turned my attention to the menu board.

Once I had my coffee in hand, I made my way over to the table.

"Hi Rochelle," I said as I shrugged out of my coat and slid into the seat across from her. "How've you been?"

"Oh, you know. Keeping busy," she replied. "I can't complain. The museum is gearing up for the holidays. This year they want to capitalize on all the kids being out of school, draw them in to see the exhibits by making it fun. The Curator really wants to show kids that museums can be cool while also cultivating an interest and appreciation for the arts, so he's developed several hands-on projects they can get involved in, as well as specialized tours and stuff."

"I think that's a great idea!"

The small bell above the shop door tinkled and Rochelle's gaze shifted behind me. Twisting around in my seat, I watched as Maddie bristled loudly and shook out her coat. I rolled my eyes affectionately and shook my head. That was Maddie. Always needing to be the center of attention wherever she went.

"Hey, girls!" she called from across the shop. "I'll be right there."

We both waved and then returned to our conversation while we waited for her.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed dramatically as she flung herself into the seat next to Rochelle. "It's freezing out there! Can you believe how much snow we got?"

"No," I said. "It's crazy."

"I miss summer," Rochelle commented softly.

"I don't know…," Maddie drawled. "I don't mind it so much this year."

I raised my eyebrow skeptically. "You hate the snow."

"Yeah, but, I'm kinda looking forward to it this year. Eddie wants to take me to the Rockies for the week of Christmas and New Year's," she revealed with a dreamy sigh. "Can you imagine? Spending a week in a chalet, skiing during the day, making love by the fire at night?"

"No!" Rochelle cried, slamming her hand on the table. Both Maddie and I jumped. Some of Rochelle's cappuccino sloshed over the rim of her cup and spilled onto the tabletop. "No boyfriend talk! Not today!"

"Geez, 'Chelle," Maddie muttered as she leaned over and yanked a handful of paper napkins from the dispenser at the far end of the table and attempted to sop up the mess.

I leaned forward and asked, "Are you okay?"

"No. I'm sorry." Rochelle folded her arms across her chest defensively, not really sounding sorry at all. "I think it's great you both have boyfriends and all, but I'm starting to feel like the third wheel every time we get together—which isn't often anymore, I might add. I mean, we didn't even spend Halloween together, and we always do something for Halloween!"

I glanced down at my own coffee. While I hadn't spent Halloween with Jake, I also hadn't made any effort to reach out to either of my friends because I was too wrapped up with spending time with Erik. "I'm sorry, Rochelle."

Maddie at least attempted to look contrite. "Yeah, me too. So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Rochelle was just telling me about all the plans the museum has for the holidays," I said, nodding in her direction.

"Oh?"

Rochelle beamed and puffed out her chest. "Yes. We really want to dispel the notion that museums are boring and only something kids have to suffer through on school field trips. My boss is making a big push to have the museum be the place to hang out this winter break by offering hands-on demonstrations, interactive displays, and art projects like painting and working with clay, that sort of thing."

"Wow, that sounds really cool," Maddie said earnestly. "How soon will all that be up and running?"

"Soon, we hope," Rochelle replied with a small shrug of her shoulder. "Our plan is to have everything ready to go by Thanksgiving, since some of the schools around here are still year-round and will let out that following week."

"I can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner," I said. "It seems like just yesterday we were sipping coffee in a Paris café."

Rochelle nodded. "I know, right?"

"That was a fun trip," Maddie replied.

I nodded as well and quietly twisted Erik's ring around my finger. That trip had literally changed my life. I often wondered what my life would have been like if I hadn't found his ring laying in the muck. In the beginning I had regretted that decision to take it so much. And now…now I couldn't imagine my life without Erik in it.

"We need to do that again," Maddie interjected, pulling me out of my thoughts and back to the conversation at hand.

"Maybe," Rochelle laughed. "That was an expensive trip. I'd settle for us just getting together more often. Don't need a European vacation to do that."

"Well said," I agreed.

"We should make a pact to text each other at least once a week," Maddie said. "And plan to get together every two to three weeks. What do you think?"

"I like that idea," I responded. "It's easy for us all to get wrapped up in our own lives and—sorry, Rochelle, it's not really boyfriend talk, but—I'm worried the more our relationships progress the less we'll get together and soon we will hardly see each other."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," Rochelle said softly. "And I don't want that to happen."

"Me neither."

"Okay, it's decided," Maddie declared with a grand flourish that made us both laugh. "We agree to get together at least one more time before Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving, you should see all the deals we have coming out for Black Friday!"

XXX

I glanced up at the clock on the mantle and managed to stifle a sigh. It wasn't the first time Christine had been late coming home from work. It was, however, the first time I was bothered by it. Frowning, I forced my eyes back down to the open novel resting in my lap and tried to concentrate on the words printed on the page. A few minutes later I gave up, shoving the heavy book aside in disgust.

The universe certainly had a perverse way of toying with me.

Just when I had finally found a measure of contentment with my existence, that peace was viciously ripped from my fingertips as I was confronted with the knowledge that once again, I would be forced to watch someone I cared about fall in love with someone else.

Damn it! Why was I destined to repeat this little drama over and over again?

My slow descent into misery was interrupted by the sound of a key turning in the lock and seconds later Christine rushed through the door.

"Good God!" she exclaimed, stomping her foot dramatically. "I can't feel my feet! Or my hands! Or my face! Jesus Christ, it's cold out there!"

True enough, her cheeks and the tip of her nose were rosy red, and the slightest smattering of snow dusted her hair and the fuzzy collar of her coat. When she saw me sitting in the armchair by the fireplace, a smile spread across her lips, brightening up her entire face.

"Hi, Erik!"

My chest tightened. That warm, easy smile was my undoing. It stirred something deep inside me, something I'd only ever felt when Christine Daaé and I would sing together. And just as I'd done back then, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to protect and prolong that feeling at all costs. In the past that had meant making unreasonable demands and threatening Christine to ensure her loyalty. But I couldn't do that now, nor did I find I wanted to. I had to accept that this is all I would ever have with her, and I had to be content that it was enough.

The problem was, at the moment I didn't know if I was strong enough not to reveal the turmoil I was presently experiencing.

"Christine," I replied nonchalantly, dipping my head in acknowledgement.

She picked up on the coolness in my tone almost immediately. Her brows furrowed and that dazzling smile of hers faltered ever-so-slightly. "Are you okay?"

Suddenly, it was impossible to maintain eye contact. I hadn't expected to hear the worry in her voice and her quiet concern was currently more than I could bear.

"I'm fine, my dear," I lied. "I am simply tired." Standing, I pulled at the hem of my waistcoat to smooth out the wrinkles. "If you'll excuse me, I think I should like to retire for the evening."

A look of confusion and disappointment settled over her delicate features, but she obliged my request. "Oh. Yeah, of course. Good night, Erik."

"Good night," I said with a curt nod, still taking great care not to look at her directly for fear that she would see right through my pretense.

Damn that boy! I inwardly cursed as I spun on my heel and hurried out of the room. He was going to ruin everything.

XXX

Tired? He was tired? Since when did ghosts get tired?

Since never, my brain replied. He's avoiding you.

I stared at the place Erik had been standing only moments before. But why?

Something was going on.

He'd been quick to assure me that he wasn't upset by Jake's unexpected arrival. Hell, he'd practically shoved me out the door. But he'd been distant and aloof ever since and I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd done something wrong.

Why does it always have to be about you? There are different kinds of 'tired,' you know.

That was true. Erik might not be able to feel physically tired, but he could be mentally worn out. He'd been through a lot lately. Okay, that was an understatement. He'd been through Hell and back. It was extremely selfish of me to think that it had anything to do with me. Instead of feeling sorry for myself I needed to step up and be a good friend. If that meant he needed space to clear his head, I'd give it to him. And if he wanted to talk in the morning, I'd be there.