Page 26 of My Heart's Doctor

“Remember that I’m doing this so you feel proud of me and not to impress anyone,” I reminded him, because my friend was one of those who always insisted on introducing me to someone.

“I’m always proud of you,” he replied with certainty, making me smile gratefully.

With everything necessary for the gala dinner, we went to have lunch together at one of our favorite restaurants.

“Tell me what you’ve been doing these days when you abandoned me and didn’t even bother to call me,” he reproached me.

“Save your sermon for another day, or else tonight you’ll have to go alone,” I scolded him, and at that moment I remembered everything I had experienced in those days with William Cavaller, but I decided not to mention it.

“Would you really do that?”

I looked at him, raising an eyebrow with a smug smile, and that was enough to answer his question. Orson huffed.

“I imagine all you’ve done is work and work. You know I don’t criticize you for that because you’re happy doing it and you do good for those children, but you need to have more of a social life. You’re not even 30 yet, Devon. I can understand that you wanted to take some time, but it’s been two years now, that’s more than enough time.”

“I’m fine like this,” I said, bringing the wine glass to my lips.

“How long has it been since you slept with someone?”

“The last one was Lino, and by the end of our marriage we weren’t having sex anymore. Actually, he was the last and the only one.”

“Mother of God! We need to do something,” he said, shocked.

“Why are you so surprised when you know I haven’t dated anyone?”

“But I was hoping you might have had a little fling, you know, someone from work, from the gym, a stranger you’d only see that one time and nothing more.”

“No; sorry to disappoint you,” I stated, and without meaning to, I found myself thinking again about that man I couldn’t get out of my head lately.

My friend observed me for several long minutes. Orson was an extremely handsome guy who dated many women; for him, going a week without sex was unthinkable. We still hadn’t seen him with a formal partner, and to avoid dates, he would take Sylvia and me to his business dinners because we were more like sisters to him than friends.

“You don’t disappoint me, beautiful. You know I adore you, but I don’t want you to suffer anymore. I want to see you happy; you deserve it more than anyone. Remember what I always tell you, that phrase I read somewhere and always repeat like a mantra:‘Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.’In your case, it was exactly like that because you got rid of that damn son of a bitch. You know that if it were up to me, I would have murdered your ex and then disposed of the body without feeling any guilt or remorse.”

I laughed at his comment, though he had said it before. Orson had never gotten along well with Lino because the latter was insanely jealous of him, but after the separation, Orson hated him with all his being.

“I know you would have done it and even enjoyed it,” I said, smiling. “But it’s not necessary. Let him live his life and be happy.”

“Do you still love him?”

“No; I don’t feel anything for him anymore, not even respect.”

“That makes me feel better. And tell me, have the bitter witch of your mother and her apprentice, meaning the viper of your sister, continued bothering you? Because I’ve got a score to settle with those two as well.”

His comment made me burst into laughter again.

“Because of me, you’re going to end up becoming a serial killer,” I said, still laughing.

“They all deserve that and much more.”

“Actually, they don’t deserve even a thought from us, so let’s forget about them.”

“You’re right, let’s change the subject and get organized for tonight. Should we go in my car or yours?” he asked, and I immediately realized he was doing it to spare me from bad memories.

“Better in yours because with that dress you made me buy and those high-heeled sandals, I doubt I’ll feel comfortable driving.”

“With that dress I made you buy, you’re going to dazzle more than one of those single, wealthy businessmen at the dinner.”

“Are you expecting me to arrive with you and leave with someone else? That wouldn’t reflect well on you. Would you leave me stranded in the middle of dinner to go off with another woman?”