Page 10 of Save Me (The Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach #2)
Frieda pushes through the door, a tray of medications in one hand and a blood pressure machine in the other. She’s one of the daytime nurses and probably my favorite. “Good morning, ladies. How are we feeling today?”
“Pretty well,” I offer as Gigi chews and swallows the evidence. “I just braided her hair, and we were catching up on things. I’ve got to head out now. Lots to do.” A blood test or two, for starters.
Rita sets the tray down and begins opening caps. “How’d you sleep last night, Gigi?”
“The usual. Had that strange dream with those monkeys again.”
“Oh yeah? What were those little rascals up to this time?”
“Can’t remember. But they were definitely there.”
Frieda hums. “Must be all those sweet treats you’ve been sneakin’.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You have me confused with someone else.”
My phone chirps then with an incoming text, and I choose to answer it rather than get dragged into Gigi’s lie.
Ronan:
Don’t flake out on me, Sea Witch. 6pm sharp.
My stomach flutters with nerves. He’s not going to let up. This is beginning to feel like a chase. I’ll admit, I like it.
“What’s that about?” Gigi asks. “Is that your baby daddy?”
“Haha, funny.” With Frieda’s back to us, I shoot Gigi a glare in warning. What the hell? She used to be a vault for unmentionables. If this is her idea of keeping a secret, half of Mermaid Beach is going to know within the week.
“Oh, silly me, I’m getting my slang mixed up. Too old to keep up, I guess.” She flashes wide “oops” eyes at me.
Good recovery attempt. I hope it’s enough.
“Okay, Ms. Parker, let’s check that ticker of yours.” Frieda mouths “congratulations” as she passes.
Nope, not good enough.
With a heavy sigh, I bend over to kiss Gigi’s forehead. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
She seizes my cheeks and holds my face close to hers. “You’re never alone, remember that. The Sea Witch is your family. Your village.”
I smile to mask my apprehension. I wish that were true, but the deeply rooted community Gigi fostered over the decades feels like it’s slipping away. How long before everyone is gone?
She releases me. “Oh, to be young and wild again. Such exciting times.”
“Glad I’m able to entertain you.”
“You kidding? This is better than those daytime soaps in the rec center. Have fun tonight.”
“You’re so convinced I’m going.”
“Of course you are. You can’t help yourself.”
She’s likely right.
“Into the belly of the beast!” Gigi shakes her fist in the air before stretching it out for Frieda. “Wear that peach number.”
“I forgot about that dress.” It was a splurge for a friend’s wedding. Cody got drunk and spilled an entire beer on me. I was so angry. But the dry cleaners worked their magic. I haven’t worn it since. I haven’t had any reason to.
“It’s stunning on you. Oh, and the perfume.” She winks. “You know the one.”
I squeeze the Cherokee into a parking spot outside my doctor’s office, but I don’t rush for my appointment just yet. There’s something—or someone—I need to speak to first.
Digging out the scrap of paper I jotted Ryan’s number down on, I punch the digits into my phone and hit Call.
And wait as it rings. Maybe I should have called from the main line. She’s likely screening random numbers. I don’t blame her; I do the same. I’ll just leave a message?—
“Hello?” The feminine voice in my ear is wary.
“Hi, Ryan? It’s Sloane from the Sea Witch.”
“Sloane! Hey ! How are you?”
“I’m great,” I lie, staring out at the medical center sign.
“Listen, I wanted to check in to see how Katie’s doing.
” Another lie. Ronan has already filled me in on their friend’s injury, and while I may have a valid reason to call on behalf of my business, why I’m really calling has nothing to do with Katie and everything to do with learning whatever I can about Ronan.
“Better! The swelling has gone down, but her foot is basically purple, and she can’t walk on it.
We hung out around the house for most of yesterday, which I don’t mind because this place is incredible, and I am so jealous,” she rambles.
“Kyle went out and got her crutches, so that should help with the flight home.”
Her boyfriend seems like a great guy. “When are you leaving?”
“Later this afternoon. Kyle and I are enjoying a few hours on the beach.” Sounds of a child’s squeals and a man’s shout of greeting punctuate her claim.
“Great. Well, I hope you guys had a decent time on the cruise, even though it didn’t end well.”
“Oh my gosh, we had the best time .”
“Even when you puked?” a deep male voice chimes in the background. I assume that’s Kyle.
“Right. Other than the epic hangover. I may have been a little bit drunk.”
“Really? Couldn’t tell.”
“You’re lying, but thank you for that.”
I smile, even though she can’t see it. I like Ryan. I’m struggling to picture her with Ronan, though.
“I’m actually glad you called. I’m a little fuzzy about parts of the afternoon, but I’m pretty sure I said a few things I shouldn’t have.”
Normally I would shrug it off with a “we’ve all been there” excuse, but that won’t get me the answers I need. That’s why I don’t waste any time when I say, “You mean about Ronan and your brother going home to screw Katie and Rachel?”
“Yeah, that.” Her nervous laughter betrays her awkwardness.
“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on with you and Ronan, and it is none of my business, but for what it’s worth, he’s a really decent guy.
It might not be obvious in the beginning, but trust me, he is.
He’s super loyal and a good friend, and if he says he’ll do something, he’ll do it.
Or he won’t do it. Do you get what I’m saying? ”
“I think I do.” She said the same thing on Sunday, though she’s trying to be more discreet now, given her current boyfriend is next to her and probably doesn’t want to hear about how wonderful her fuck buddy was.
“Honestly, Ronan’s biggest fault is that he’s best friends with my brother, who is an ignorant meatball with only one thing on his mind. I think he might actually die if he goes too long without getting laid.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, Connor seems like he’d be a lot sometimes.”
“Try all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love him to death, but sometimes I want to put a pillow over his face while he’s sleeping and hold it there until he?—”
“Babe,” Kyle chides softly.
“Right. I would never do it. I just want to sometimes. Anyway, Ronan was kind of lost for a while there, after his breakup with his ex.”
“Tasha,” I offer.
“Yeah, I think that’s her name. I’m surprised he mentioned her. He doesn’t talk about her much. He’s not one to divulge personal things, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
I hum in agreement. But Ryan seems to chatter plenty, which is to my benefit. “So, he’s not lost anymore?”
“You mean because of her? Oh, that’s long over for him, ever since he came back from Alaska. ”
“What about anyone else? Has he been seeing a lot of other women?” It’s probably wrong to pump the girl for information, but it’s the best way to validate what Ronan told me last night.
“I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t live with them anymore, but I know he’s settled down some. Connor’s been calling him a monk for months. He talked about running an intervention.”
That guy really is something.
Kyle laughs.
“Obviously, I said no. There’s nothing wrong with him. I just think he’s tired of living that life. Anyway, I’m glad you called. I hope I didn’t ruin things for him with you.”
“No, it’s okay. We aren’t serious.” What an ironic claim, given where I’m heading now, which is as serious as it gets. “Listen, I hope you guys come back to Mermaid Beach again, and when you do, we’ll make up for the lost hour next time.”
“Oh, we will definitely be back, and absolutely! I was actually going to leave a review for your company. I’m gonna go do that now.”
Mention of a review brings back my conversation with Ronan on the cruise. My cheeks flush. “Okay, well … until next time!”
We end the call, and I take a few moments to digest everything Ryan said.
Sure, she and Ronan are friends, but I’d like to think she wouldn’t steer me toward him if he were like, say, Connor—whom she seems openly willing to drive a bus over at the first opportunity.
Girl code still exists, doesn’t it? I don’t know many who would lie about their manwhore friend when it comes to dating them. My gut says Ryan wouldn’t.
Which means Ronan was telling me the truth. He’s looking for a relationship.
I peer up at the doctor’s office as a burst of nervousness explodes in my stomach.
I doubt he’s looking for this.