Seduced by Sunday

Or maybe that, too, was an illusion.

He deserved this. Living in a state of not alive and not dead.

The vindictive part of her wanted him to be aware, even if a little bit, of the state he was in.

“Can he hear me?”

One of the nurses answered, “They say that hearing is the last to go.”

She moved close, leaned over the bed, and felt her skin prickle. He couldn’t hurt her now, but she still shuddered.

“Can you hear me, Alonzo?”

Nothing.

“May God have mercy on your soul.” She paused and said what she truly felt. “Because if it were up to me, you’d burn in hell.”

She twisted on a heel, grasped the paper a nurse handed her, and signed her name. “Pull the plug, Doctor.”

The words left her lips and someone behind her shut down the machine.

The room grew silent, and Gabi walked away.

Alonzo died, officially, twenty minutes later.

Chapter Thirty-One

Gabi was a natural . . . once she remembered where she’d put her smile.

Who knew a woman who’d been sheltered, pampered, and cared for all her life would jump into a full-time job as easily as she did.

Meg knew it was all about distraction, but it seemed to be working. Watching her new friend come back to life was a slow, sometimes agonizing process.

Their first few weeks in the Tarzana house together met with daily phone calls from Val or Mrs. Masini. If Meg wasn’t there to talk with Val, he would text her . . . remind her he was thinking about her.

He’d offered to fly out and visit, but Meg kept putting him off. “Gabi needs a complete break. She’ll let you know when to visit.”

“I want to see you.”

“I don’t do long distance,” she reminded him, not really feeling the words that left her mouth.

“Is that why you sent three text messages yesterday, one with a picture of Michael and Ryder sipping wine?”

“I just thought you’d like to know that everything is working out,” she defended herself. Ryder had moved in with Michael, though with the “friends” angle. Meg had never seen Michael happier.

“You want to share your day with me, cara. I know the feeling. By the way, Jim sends his love.”

Meg found herself smiling into the phone. “Did he offer marriage again?”

Val grumbled. He’s so easy.

“He did, didn’t he?”

“You’re taken.”

“I am, am I?”

“Yes.”

She wanted to see him, desperately. But was afraid walking away again would be impossible. Her life was in California, she kept telling herself. His was not.

Meg heard Carol talking in the background before Val said, “There’s trouble in the kitchen I have to take care of.”

“Go. I have some last-minute touches on Eliza’s baby shower I need to attend to.”

“Ti amo, bella. Think of me when you close your eyes tonight.”

The brat, now she would only think of him . . . his lips . . . his touch. “Good night, Val.”

Having a home without tiny feet running around made it easy to decorate and prepare for a baby shower. Sam and Eliza insisted on having the shower in the Tarzana home. Between Gabi’s and Meg’s efforts, they’d prepared a massive pot of homemade pasta, and the sauce was simmering on the stove long before the first guest arrived.

Blue and pink balloons filled the corners of the room, and flowers, candy, and cakes sat on top of every table. Spiked and unspiked punch sat in two different crystal bowls. It was silly and sweet, and perfect for an expectant mom. The guest list for this shower was limited to immediate friends and family. Not that Eliza had any of her own, but her mother-in-law, Abigail, arrived with Eliza and Sam. Behind them, Karen and Judy shuffled in with Gwen. The small Tarzana house was overflowing with less than a dozen guests.

Everyone talked at the same time, made a great show of patting Eliza’s expectant belly, and laughed, even Gabi.

The two most likely to fall into the baby world were Judy and Karen, who were doing their best to avoid the questions of when. Meg knew Judy wasn’t quite there yet, but Karen seemed to be eyeing Eliza’s stomach with longing.

“How do you like California, Gabi?” Gwen asked.

“Dry. I like it.”

“The East Coast is sticky,” Eliza agreed.

“But green,” Meg offered. Not to mention that was where Val lived. What was he doing at that moment?

“Hmm . . .”

“What?” Meg asked Judy.

“Nothing,” she replied.

Meg shook her head and glanced at Gabi. Only she was watching Karen stroke Eliza’s belly as the baby kicked. Longing? Had Gabi wanted children with Alonzo? Had he destroyed those dreams, too?

Meg took Gabi’s arm. “Let’s see if I’ve screwed up your mother’s recipe.”

The distraction worked. When they set out the food, Gabi was smiling again.

They ate, played silly games, and gathered to watch Eliza open dozens of gifts for her unborn child.

Meg watched with interest, but her head . . . her heart wasn’t there. It had been over a month since she’d seen Val. Getting over him wasn’t happening. Maybe she should tell him to come. Maybe she should jump on a plane. As she sat in a room full of happy women, most of which were married to loving, wonderful men . . . Meg wanted to join them.

“Earth to Meg?” Judy said with a wave in front of her eyes.

The room had grown silent and everyone stared at her.

“Where are you?” Sam asked with a smile.

Her eyes started to sting with moisture. “I-I think I’m in Florida.”