“Yeah, so he can move on and not feel guilty,” I mumbled.
“Alright, let’s go back to this breakup. What happened?”
“He feels weird taking money to have sex with me,” I repeated his words.
She sputtered. “Uh, yeah, I think that’s illegal. Prostitution, it’s called. He doesn’t want to be a gigolo. You can’t blame him.”
“It isn’t like we only have sex. He should get paid. He makes me food and carts me around. He makes sure I don’t die.”
“All very good qualities, but what else did he say about the breakup?”
I let out a sigh. “He said, if I get the surgery and get my sight back, I won’t need him to help me and we can be together.”
She was quiet for a second. “He said he doesn’t want to be with you if you’re blind?”
“No, not exactly. He said, if I chose not to have surgery, then I need to start the rehab process to learn to live on my own. He said he would be with me, but not as my caregiver. He wants to take care of me, but he can’t afford not to get paid.”
She slapped at my knee. “Dammit, Bree! You made it sound like he dumped you because you were blind. Whew! I thought my judgement was way off. He’s a good man. I think he may well right to keep things separate. He’s a good one, Bree. Don’t let him get away over stupid jealousy. You’re just feeling insecure, that’s all and it’s understandable, but don’t be bad decisions because of it.”
“You think I should get the surgery?”
“I think you need to get informed and make a decision for yourself one way or another. We’ve all kind of stayed back and let you languish, but now it’s time to choose your life. If you get the surgery and it doesn’t work, you can finally be done with all the doctors. You can get all those cool gadgets I’ve been checking out and get your own place. I know you can do this, but you have to believe it. You could do all that without getting the surgery too, but I’m afraid you would stay in limbo.”
I knew she was right. They were all right. “I’ll call Luke and ask him to set up a meeting with the doctor. I’ll hear her out and then make a decision.”
“Good girl. Now, let’s go get something a little more filling than an apple.”
Chapter Four
Luke
WHEN BREE HAD CALLED yesterday, I’d been thrilled. It was hard to stay away from her. I found myself sitting outside on the small patio in front of the cottage. I kept looking towards the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. With the shrubs and the trees, it was impossible. I may as well have been three blocks away. I had a feeling that was why Paul wanted me there. I would be nearby, but he could keep an eye on me. He said he gave us his blessing to be together, but I got the feeling he wa
sn’t really on board with it. He had said what he needed to say to make Bree happy.
I walked around the pool and through the back door. The housekeeper was in the kitchen, earbuds in and singing her little heart out. I waved at her and headed for the dining room. Bree was alone at the table, the room completely silent. The only noise was the sound of the housekeeper singing.
“Hey,” I greeted.
“Hi.”
“Where’s your dad?” I asked, surprised he wasn’t with her.
“He had to go out of town for a couple days.”
“Oh,” I said with surprise. I assumed that meant I was officially on duty. Paul could have given me a heads up.
“You don’t have to stay here in the house,” she said.
“Are you sure? Your dad said there was a guest room.”
“I’m positive. I’m not an invalid. I need to start getting used to being alone.”
“Do you still want to talk to Ellis?” I asked.
She offered me a small smile. “I do. I am willing to hear her out.”
“She’ll be here in an hour,” I reminded her.