Something Like This (Secrets) by Eileen Cruz Coleman Page A

look for me?”
    Reece reached for my hand. “If you knew your father would be gone tomorrow and that you would never see him again, what would you do? Would you be okay with not seeing him anymore?”
    I felt nauseous. My heart started racing.
    I looked straight into Reece’s eyes. “I would never forgive myself. I would not be okay.”
    “Then there it is.”
    “There’s what?”
    “Your heart’s desire.”
    “I guess it is.”
    “I can be there, if you want me to.”
    “You would do that?” I asked.
    “That and anything else you ask of me.” He kissed my hand.
    Mami had known what she was doing when she invaded my thoughts...when she stopped me from getting on that train. She was still looking out for me.
    “Thank you.”
    “I love you,” he said.
    “I love you, too.”
    “You pretty much destroyed your muffin. It’s a good thing I bought more.”
    I laughed. “I won’t lie, I would love another one.” I was suddenly famished.
    “Coming right up.” He stood and went to the kitchen.
    Today was going to be a good day. I was going to be okay.
    “Now, before you dive in,” he said, setting another muffin down on my plate, “don’t you think you should call my uncle and let him know you won’t be coming in today?”
    I leaped out of my seat, “Crap! I completely forgot.” I pulled my phone out of my purse and dialed as quickly as I could. “I hope he’s in his office.”
    “Hello.”
    “Mr. Walker?” I said.
    “Yes, who’s calling?”
    “It’s Jadie.”
    “Where are you? You’re obviously not here.”
    “Yes, I know, I’m sorry. I’m not feeling very well today.”
    “You’re calling in sick?”
    “If it’s okay with you? I’d like to stay home today.”
    “This isn’t about yesterday, is it?”
    “No, no, I’m just not feeling well.”
    “Look, I was a jerk yesterday. It was wrong of me to put you through that.”
    “It’s fine.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yes, I’m very sure.”
    I had almost forgotten about what had happened at the office with Tom and Mr. Walker.
    “Okay, good. I hope you feel better.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Oh and Jadie.”
    “Yes.”
    “If my nephew is with you, can you give him a message for me?”
    My stomach plummeted right down to the tips of my toes.
    “What?”
    “Just in case you see him, let him know I want to talk about his novel. I read it again and have some thoughts.”
    Mr. Walker could have easily called Reece himself. He was obviously messing with me.
    “I’ll give him the message.”
    “Thank you, I do hope you feel better,” he said and hung up.
    “Gah!” I said.
    “What did he say?” Reece asked.
    “I’m pretty sure he knows I’m with you and that I’m not sick.”
    “No way.”
    “Um, yep, he asked me to give you a message.”
    Reece started laughing. “Are you serious?”
    “Dead.”
    “So, what’s the message?”
    “He read your book again and wants to talk to you about it.”
    “Wow, seriously? He said he wants to talk...about my book?”
    “Uh huh.”
    “I’ll call him later.”
    “Much, much later.” I was not about to share Reece with Mr. Walker today.
    “The much later part goes without saying. First, we have some serious TV binging to do.”
    “What?”
    “Oh yeah, if you’re going to pretend to be sick in my house, you’re going to have to spend some time watching TV with me.”
    “I thought you said I had to go straight to bed after breakfast.”
    “I did say that, didn’t I?”
    “Uh huh.”
    “Oh well, in that case...” He swung me into his arms.
    Before I could protest, he put me down on his bed.
    “All right. Get some rest, I’ll be back to check on you in a few minutes.”
    “Wait, what?”
    “You’re sick. You need your rest,” he said, grinning.
    “I hate you.”
    “I’m only trying to take care of you. Why the hate?”
    I threw a pillow at him.
    “Like I said, I’ll be back to check on you.” And he walked right out of the room, closing the door behind him.
    I was