Page 57 of Healed Heart

“Right away.”The server picks up the glass.“You?”

My glass of water is still full, and though I could use a drink, I have a class to get to.“I’m good, but thank you.”

I inhale the fragrance of my drunken noodles.

The smell of garlic, chili, and basil mixes with the sweet scent of the oyster sauce.I pick up my fork and twirl a strand of noodle around it.

Tabitha takes a bite of her meal, her gaze flickering back to her phone.She chews, swallows, and then looks back to me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”she asks again, setting her fork down on her plate.

I give a small nod, but I don’t meet her eyes.“Just a lot on my mind.”

Tabitha starts talking again as she digs into her pad thai.She doesn’t seem overly concerned about Ralph wanting to see me.

Why should she be?

Ralph isn’t her problem.He’s mine.And Jason’s, unfortunately.I take a bite of the noodles—spicy and sweet at the same time, just how I like it.

Why would he want to see me?What could he possibly have to say that he hasn’t already?

I try to dismiss it as nothing.Maybe he just wants to apologize for his actions.For going to HR.

Yeah, right.

I haven’t known Ralph long, but already I know he has no intention of apologizing.

Truth is, I don’t want to see Ralph or have anything to do with him.His sudden request fills my stomach with unease, prompting me to set down my fork and push the bowl away.

“You’re not eating?”Tabitha asks, noticing.

“Not hungry anymore,” I say curtly.It’s a weak excuse, but I need to end this meal.“I changed my mind.I’m cutting class.Let’s go see what Ralph wants.”

ChapterTwenty-Two

Jason

“Hello?”

“Is this Jason Lansing?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Ralph Parker returning your call.You wanted to talk about Ronny and Lindsay?”

I clear my throat.“Yes.”

“May I ask why?”

“Yeah, of course.”I clear my throat again.“I was married to Lindsay Davis.”

“Oh.How is she?”

“She’s no longer with us,” I say.“I didn’t divorce her.I’m a widower.”

Silence for a moment.Then, “I’m very sorry to hear that.We all really loved Lindsay.I’ve tried to stay in touch with everyone from our class, but she disappeared after graduation.”

“Yeah, because her old boyfriend was stalking her.”