“Thanks.” I turned on my heel to walk away. My body felt heavy, and the clicking sound from my heels got louder as I headed back to my office.

**

From my office window, I could see the thick, heavy clouds. Their bellies were so full that they were ready to burst. As more dark clouds gathered, it got darker and colder. Then lightning flashed deadly, yet beautifully, across the sky, followed by a loud boom of angry thunder that shook the window. Rain pounded on the ground, washing away the dirt, washing away the smog. I wished it could wash away my pain, but of course I knew it was impossible.

After work, I went straight home. Becky had left for San Francisco that morning, so I was home alone. Luke had called me every day—sure…now he called me everyday—but I never picked up. And as for Max…well…he never replied at all. I chuckled out loud at the irony of this. The three of us were somehow connected and doing similar things. I was avoiding Luke, and Max was avoiding me. Luke wanted to get in touch with me, and I wanted to do the same with Max.

After eating last night’s leftovers, I took a shower and went to bed early. I didn’t know if the thoughts of Max were wearing me down or if I was coming down with something, but my body began to feel heavy and cold…very cold.

**

The next day, I went to work, looking and acting like a zombie. After some persuasion from Lisa, begging me to go home, I did. I had caught some kind of bug, and it was terrible. Without any dinner, I snuggled into the comfort of my bed as I thought of Max and went to sleep.

Shivering…sweating…my whole body burned. Kicking off my blankets, I reached for them when I suddenly got cold again. I wished my body would make up its mind, but it didn’t. Tossing and turning, I had a restless, uncomfortable night.

When I woke up, I didn’t feel any better, so I called in sick. Though I wasn’t hungry, I knew I needed something to eat, since I hadn’t eaten anything the previous night. Wanting to head to the kitchen, my feet dragged across the floor like they weighed a ton. After drinking a glass of water, I tried eating something, even a slice of bread, but I couldn’t take a bite of anything.

Looking into the medicine cabinet, I found some Advil, so I took it. Though I knew I should feel better, I didn’t. I felt myself burning up again, and it wasn’t from alcohol this time. All I wanted to do was sleep and close my eyes, because right now, even Max wasn’t on my mind…my burning throat and the feeling that a bus had hit me was. Forget Luke, forget Max…forget…I couldn’t think or feel anything anymore, except for the need for sleep, and my heart, which hammered against my ribs so fast I thought it would burst right through.

**

Something besides my head pounded as I drifted in and out of sleep. It sounded like it came from the kitchen, but I didn’t care. Nor did I have the energy or strength to get up and see where the sound had come from; either that, or I was clearly delusional from my current condition.

Feeling something cool touching me, I welcomed whatever was on my cheek. I let out a soft moan and shifted my head from side to side.

“Jenna.” I heard a male voice calling my name. “Are you okay? Shit…she’s really hot.”

This must be a dream. I missed Max so much I was dreaming about him, but I didn’t mind. Hearing his voice somehow soothed the ache in my body. At least it gave me a temporary escape.

The cold hands left my face. “Nooo,” I moaned. Max was fading…come back.

“Should we call the ambulance?” another voice said. I didn’t want to hear him. Who was he?

“She’ll be fine. I had the same thing. I’ll take care of her. Thank you for letting me in,” Max replied.

Max wanted to take care of me. This was too good to be true; it was just a dream, but I would take it. Then the voices faded in and out.

“I’m not suppose to be doing this, but since her mail box was full…she didn’t pick up the phone, and since she works for you and she hasn’t returned your phone calls, it was something to be alarmed about. I’m glad I could help. She does look really sick,” the other voice said.

“Here’s my business card,” Max said.

“Wow! Are you the Mr. Knight from Knight Magazine?”

“Yes, but my father is the founder,” he said flatly.

“Why didn’t you tell me in the first place? Well, I’d better go now. I’m sure she’s in good hands.”

Then I heard the sound of retreating footsteps and cold hands on my face again. And my dream ended.

Chapter 23

Blinking my eyes open to the sun gave me the warmth that I needed to let me know I was going to be okay. Though there was a little lingering ache in my body, it was definitely much better. But one thing was for sure…I had lost several pounds. As I lay there trying to recall the dream I’d had about Max and some stranger, I couldn’t. It was gone, and the knot in my heart that was temporarily pushed aside came back fast and heavy.

Suddenly it dawned on me that I had no idea what day or time it was. I racked my brain trying to figure out how long I had been passed out. My cell phone would tell me the information I needed. I only had to reach over to my nightstand, but I needed to get up and use the restroom. Getting out of bed wasn’t as bad as I thought it would have been, but my legs were shaky, and my muscles were weak all over.

I had only taken a few steps when I heard a loud, female, screeching scream, and I immediately knew Becky was home. Wondering what that was all about, I opened the door and ran out of my room. Becky was standing by the front door. She looked shocked, like she had seen a ghost. I followed her line of vision and…. Oh my God! Max was standing there, holding up both of his hands, seemingly gesturing he was not a thief.