He Never Delayed For Anyone Else

Chapter 2

Then he turned back to me, his tone softening.

"Cecily's been clumsy since we were kids. Don't hold it against her." He scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it, and held it to my lips. "The doctor said you should eat something light while you recover. Come on, open up. Say ah."

The soup should have been comforting. Instead, all I could taste was bitterness.

"Desmond, my hand's swollen," I said hoarsely.

Cecily interrupted with a cheerful laugh. "Desmond hasn't told you about me, has he, Lenora? Let me introduce myself..."

I cut her off. "I know who you are. You're the one who recorded his ringtone, aren't you?"

Desmond's head shot up, and his eyes met mine. After a moment of surprise, Cecily threw an arm around his shoulders, though her gaze remained on me.

"Well, look at you, Desmond. We've been broken up for ages, and you're still using it?"

It felt as though she'd dumped a bucket of ice water over me. When Desmond had pursued me, he'd said I was his first love.

He quickly pulled away from her and shot back, "Don't flatter yourself. I'm busy. I just forgot to delete it."

But he didn't deny that they'd dated.

"You slept with me," Cecily muttered.

"Cecily!" Desmond snapped, suddenly raising his voice.

He moved so sharply that the soup spilled all over me. Only when he grabbed tissues to wipe it off did he notice how badly my hand had swollen.

Her words kept circling in my head. All I felt toward Desmond now was disgust.

He hurriedly put down the soup and headed for the door to get a nurse to remove my IV. Then Cecily sneezed. His hand stayed on the doorknob for a minute before he turned back, took off his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.

"Forget it. I'll take you home first. Hospitals are full of germs. If you catch something, I'll have to look after you."

Cecily tipped her head back to look at him and giggled.

"What about Lenora?"

Watching them made my stomach churn. The soup I'd just swallowed rose in my throat, sour with acid. It wasn't just nausea. I was revolted by the two of them.

Desmond hesitated, then turned to me.

"Lenora, just wait a little. I'll be right..."

I walked past him and reached the door first.

"Don't bother. I'll get the nurse myself."

He wavered for a moment before nodding.

"That works. You're already in the hospital, anyway. It's easy enough."

He took Cecily's hand and led her toward the elevator. As she passed me, she smiled and waved.

"Bye, Lenora. Get some rest. Desmond and I are heading home."

I watched them step into the elevator to go downstairs. The instant the doors closed, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I rushed to the bathroom and threw up every mouthful of soup I'd just eaten. Stomach acid burned my throat.

I put even his parting promise out of my mind.

"I'll explain everything about Cecily when I get back."

All I could think about was breaking up with him. I didn't want to wait anymore.