Heart and Soul by Carrie Elks

16

“Your house is beautiful,” Meghan told Harper as they sat outside on the deck. It had been a surprise when they’d arrived and Meghan realized they’d already met before, at the beach when Isla had hurt her foot. It felt nice, as though she was finally part of the community.

Harper and James lived in a modern, single level house high on the cliffs overlooking Angel Sands. With its floor to ceiling windows, reflecting the pink and orange sunset, it was like something out of a modern fairytale.

“Isn’t it?” Harper grinned. “James lived here for years before we got together.” She took a sip of her wine. They’d finished eating, and the men had shooed them out of the kitchen, telling them to enjoy the sunset while they cleaned up. “He bought it with his first wife.”

“I didn’t realize he was married before.” Harper and James seemed so close, like they had some kind of soul connection.

“His wife died in an accident, along with his son.” Harper smiled sadly. “He lived here alone for years. He was a bit of a recluse really, apart from work. And then we met and I got pregnant and turned his world upside down.”

“How did you meet?” Meghan asked. Harper was so easy to talk to. The fact they both had daughters meant they had even more in common.

“Rich hasn’t told you?”

“No. But now I’m intrigued. Is it some kind of secret?”

Harper laughed. “No secret. We met at a party at the Silver Sands Resort. I was living in LA at the time and we had a one-night-stand.” Her cheeks pinked up at the memory. “I didn’t even know his name. And then I found out I was pregnant and my whole world turned upside down.”

“I remember that feeling.” Meghan smiled with sympathy.

“Hold that thought. Because I want to know all about your daughter, too.”

“Okay. But first tell me how you tracked James down when you didn’t know his name.” Meghan leaned forward, her fingers clutching her wine glass.

Harper leaned her head against the chair, her blonde hair turned orange by the setting sun. She had pink tips in her hair that matched the flowers in her dress. She was so pretty and friendly, it was impossible not to love her. “I bumped into him at the hospital. I was as shocked as he was. Then I told him what happened and…” she trailed off, her eyes heavy with memories.

“You lived happily ever after?” Meghan prompted.

“No, not at first. We agreed to co-parent. But then we started spending more time together and love happened. And now here we are.” She gestured at their house.

“It was obviously meant to be.” Meghan grinned.

“I think so. We’re very happy together. Now tell me about you and Isla. How old is she?”

“She’s eight.”

“Wow. You don’t look old enough to have an eight-year-old daughter.”

“Well thank you. I was pretty young when I got pregnant. It was all a bit of a whirlwind, especially doing it alone.”

“The father isn’t in the picture at all?”

Meghan shook her head. “He didn’t want to be.”

“Well, I think you’re pretty amazing for parenting solo. Seriously, I take my hat off to you.”

Meghan smiled softly. “Thank you.”

Harper glanced at the open back door from the corner of her eye, leaning forward as she lowered her voice. “And how about you and Rich? What’s going on there?”

“Nothing.” There was no way she was mentioning the kiss. “We’re just friends and neighbors.”

“That’s a shame.” Harper sighed. “I was hoping he’d finally met somebody. It would be perfect if it was you.”

Meghan shrugged. “I can’t see him wanting to settle down with a single mom.”

“Well, he has enough experience. He practically brought his sister up single handed when his parents died.” Harper took a sip of her wine. “He kind of reminds me of James when I met him. All work and no play. He needs to find a way to relax, otherwise the job will end up killing him.”

“I can’t imagine how stressful their job must be.”

Harper crossed her legs and stared out at the blazing sky. “I always think James has it easy compared to Rich. He knows what he’s going to be doing every day, apart from the rare emergency that comes in. He gets to build up a relationship with his patients, talks them gently through their procedures, then gets to see them living a better life when they’re through.”

“What does he specialize in again?” Meghan asked her.

“He’s a spinal surgeon. And don’t get me wrong, it’s still stressful. And he has days when he loses a patient. Those are always the worst. But Rich never knows what he’s going to be dealing with from day to day. He saves lives and never hears from them again. And of course he loses some.” Harper sighed. “I just can’t imagine it.”

“Me either.” Meghan shook her head.

Harper glanced at her. “That’s why I was hoping you two are an item. I know James finds life so much better with Alyssa and me around. He says we give him balance, even on those days when everything goes wrong.”

“Maybe he’ll find the right woman one day.” Meghan’s mouth went dry at the thought.

“I hope so.” Harper sounded wistful. She bit her lip, looking carefully at Meghan. “Or maybe he already has.”

* * *

James looked up from the dishwasher, his brows knitting together. “Tell me you didn’t pretend she was your girlfriend.”

“Yeah, I did. I thought it was the only way I could get Carlyn off my back.” Rich passed him another rinsed plate and leaned back on the counter.

Letting out a low whistle, James slid the plate into the bottom rack. “And how did that go?”

“About as well as you’re probably thinking it did. Carlyn started hanging around the apartment pool and talked to Meghan’s kid.”

“Shit.” James shook his head. “I keep telling you, a restraining order’s the only way. I’m surprised Meghan’s even speaking to you after all that.” He chuckled. “I thought fake relationships only happened on soap operas.”

“I can’t take a restraining order out on Carlyn. Not yet, anyway. Belle’s show is soon. If I take out an RO I won’t be able to go.”

“Is Meghan going with you to the show?”

“That’s our agreement.” If she was still up for it. He wouldn’t make her if she wasn’t.

James’s voice was light. “She’s pretty, man.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“And she has the hots for you.”

Rich lifted a brow. “Are we really going there?”

James shrugged. “I’m just saying, all night you kept looking at each other. Every time one of you said something funny, the other one laughed like crazy. She likes you. You like her. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“I remember having exactly this same conversation with you about Harper. And you told me all the things that stood in the way of the two of you being together.”

James grinned. “Yeah, but you were right all along. We were meant for each other. And as your friend, I’m telling you the same thing. Meghan likes you, and I know you like her. I don’t see why you don’t just ask her out.”

“You know why.” Rich’s voice was low.

James closed the dishwasher, turning it on. “I know why you think it’s a no go. But maybe you’re wrong.”

“I kissed her,” Rich blurted out.

“What?”

“We kissed. A couple of weeks ago. And then I ghosted her.” Rich blew out a mouthful of air. “She deserves better than me, man. She deserves somebody who always puts her and Isla first. Someone who makes her smile instead of cry. Who’s always there when she needs him. And that’s not me.”

“So you’re gonna stand back and watch some other guy snap her up?” James frowned. “And you’re okay with that? You’ll be okay seeing them kissing in the lobby and hallway when you walk out of your door? Because she’s a catch. You know it and I know it.”

His breath caught in his throat. The idea of her with another guy felt like a gunshot to the chest. Seeing somebody else make her smile, make her laugh. Seeing somebody else taking care of her and Isla.

When he looked up, James was smiling at him. “Come on, let’s go join them out in the yard. Before you burst a blood vessel or something.”

* * *

“I love your friends,” Meghan said, as they stepped out of the elevator onto the tenth floor. “Harper’s a hoot. And Alyssa is so gorgeous.”

“They loved you, too.” Rich’s smile was soft. “Thank you for coming with me.”

“That’s what friends do, right?” And she was okay with that. Or she would be, once her body got the memo and stopped reacting every time he was near. “We spend time together, have fun, then go back to our own apartments.”

“Yeah…” He glanced over her shoulder at her door. “I guess they do.” He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, his finger leaving a trail of fire on her sensitive skin. “Good night, Meghan.”

“Good night.” Her voice was soft. She could feel the thudding of her heart against her chest. Was it always going to be like this? Him touching and her body responding.

“You need to go inside.” He gestured at the door. “Do you have your key?”

She nodded, pulling it from her purse.

“Don’t open it until I’m at my apartment.” His voice was low.

“Why not?” She tipped her head to the side.

“You know why.” His eyes dipped to her lips.

He felt it, too. This thick, unending need. Her body pulsed at the knowledge. She lifted her key up, running her finger over the cool metal. “Come inside with me,” she said.

He blinked, his lips parting. Without moving his feet, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them.

The air throbbed around them, as his gaze lifted to hers. She could feel the pull of him, like there was a silken thread connecting their bodies, becoming tighter, shorter, until touching was an inevitability.

A door clicked open.

“Rich?” A tremulous voice echoed through the hall. He snapped back like he’d been slapped, turning to look over his shoulder. Gloria was standing in her doorway, her face pale, her fingers clutching the doorjamb so tightly her knuckles were bleached. “I don’t feel so good.”

Before Meghan could take a breath he was gone, over at the adjacent doorway, his hand gently touching Gloria’s arm. “What’s wrong?” he asked her, then looked over his shoulder at Meghan. “Can you get my medical bag? It’s in my apartment. In my bedroom.”

Meghan nodded, catching his keys as he tossed them. Gloria was so pale her skin looked almost luminescent. There was a sheen of sweat on her, reflecting in the lights.

“I fell, I think. I don’t remember.” She was breathless, as Rich took her into her apartment, his voice a reassuring murmur. Meghan let herself into his apartment, rushing across the beautifully polished floors and past the pale leather sofas toward what she hoped was his bedroom. Sure enough, a dark bag was on the chair in the corner of his room, along with a pair of jeans slung over the back of it, and some sneakers on the carpet beneath. She took the bag and ran out, his keys in one hand, the bag in the other. By the time she got back to Gloria’s apartment, she was breathless.

“Can you get me the stethoscope?” Rich asked. He was sitting on one of Gloria’s kitchen chairs, his hand holding her arm. It looked like he was taking her pulse. Meghan dug in the bag and passed the stethoscope to him, standing back uselessly as he hooked it around his neck and into his ears, leaning forward to push it through the neck of Gloria’s sweater.

“Do you feel dizzy?” he asked Gloria, his voice low.

“A little. I had to hold onto the sofa when I got up to make myself a cup of cocoa earlier.”

“How long have you been feeling like this?”

“I was off all day. I thought I was just tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

Rich nodded. His bedside – or chairside in this case – manner was so soothing. “Have you felt any palpitations?” He leaned in, his brow dipping as he listened to her heart.

“I’m not sure. Maybe. I got scared and felt my heart thudding a little.”

“I think we need to get you to the hospital.” He sat up and looked over at Meghan. His face was as ashen as Gloria’s. “Can you call an ambulance?”

Meghan nodded, dialing 911.

“Oh no. I don’t need to go.” Gloria’s eyes were wide and frightened. “I’ll just go to bed. I’ll be right as rain in the morning. You can check on me then.”

“We need to do an EKG and monitor your blood oxygen levels. I don’t have that kind of equipment here.” Gloria started to shake, tears shining in her eyes. “It’s okay, I’ll go with you,” he told her, his voice so soft you could wrap yourself up in it. “There’s no need to be afraid. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“But it’s night time. You should sleep.” Gloria’s eyes started to water.

“I’ll sleep once we’ve got you settled.” He looked over Meghan’s shoulder. “Can you go pack a bag for her? In case they keep her in?”

“Of course.” She was glad to be able to do something to help. She felt useless watching him hold Gloria’s hand as tears started to roll down her face.

By the time Meghan had found everything she needed and zipped the bag up, she heard the apartment door open. There was the low murmur of voices, and Gloria’s higher pitch. One of the paramedics was kneeling down in front of her, the other talking to Rich.

“We’re going to wheel you down on a gurney,” the first paramedic told Gloria. “Until we get your heart under control we need you to stay safe and not fall. We don’t want any broken bones to deal with.”

Gloria nodded, and they worked quick to get her situated for transport. In no time the five of them were headed down in the elevator, the paramedics wheeling her out to the ambulance as Meghan passed Gloria’s bag to Rich. “Shall I follow in my car?”

He shook his head. “You’ve had wine. And there’s no point. I’ll call you if there’s any change.”

“Is it bad?”

He pulled his lip between his teeth. “I think it’s atrial fibrillation. But we’ll have to wait for test results to rule everything else out.”

“Everything else?”

“Heart attack. Stroke. Or possibly heart failure.” He blew out a mouthful of air. “Those are worst case scenarios.”

“We’re ready to go,” the paramedic called out. Rich nodded and glanced at Meghan.

“Call me when you get a chance.”

He ran his fingertip over her cheekbone. “Get some sleep. I’ll let you know how she is in the morning.”

Then he was climbing into the ambulance, talking with the paramedic, and Meghan crossed her arms over her body, watching it pull away.