Page 66 of Pervade Montego Bay
Xavier gathered what he needed to cleanse the wound. I braved a look at the laceration along the side of James’ head, held together by stitches. The doctor had shaved around it a little. Xavier dabbed a wet cotton ball over the laceration, wiping away old blood. He found a fresh dressing and secured it with medical tape.
I could tell they needed time to talk…time to heal the rift between them.
I left them alone and went downstairs to make us lunch.
Back in the kitchen, I thought the smile on my face would never lift. Xavier’s confession that he still loved me had lifted my spirits and brought me hope. For the first time since arriving, I felt a sense of calm. Having him here to help care for James was so reassuring.
Within twenty minutes, I returned to the bedroom carrying a tray with three bowls of chicken soup and some warm rolls and butter. Xavier and I sat on either side of James, the three of us enjoying our lunch in bed.
Afterward, we both snuggled up to James and he wrapped his arms around us. There came a sense of peace at being reunited.
James looked at Xavier. “I’m glad you came.”
There was a glimpse of resolution in Xavier’s pale blue eyes. James lay staring up at the ceiling as though deep in thought. I reached over and held his hand and he threaded his fingers through mine.
“I know,” said James softly.
His words gave us permission to let the world stop spinning for a while. We could take time for our hearts to trust again.
James
Ilay stretched out on a lounger, watching Emily. She’d changed into a blue bikini and was swimming laps in the pool. It was good to see this trip morphing into the holiday she deserved. We needed to celebrate her graduation. This was a good start.
Xavier was shooting hoops through the basketball net at the far end of the garden, shielded by tall coconut trees, their leaves rustling in the warm ocean breeze.
He’d removed his shirt and the sweat from his exertion covered his ripped, tanned torso as he bounced the ball. Now and again he looked over at me. I feigned disinterest, turning my focus back to the book I was meant to be reading, Thomas Harris’ latest offering to the literary world. It should have been a great distraction from the drama in my life.
Ironically, all this madness was of my own making. I’d been the one to lure Xavier into my dark scheming plans years ago. He was still here, his trust in me as strong as ever.
This crushing headache was finally lifting. I’d managed to play it down for Emily’s sake. But Xavier knew me too well. He’d not left my side since yesterday. He and Emily were helping with my recovery and I couldn’t be more grateful.
The true miracle was seeing them together with their feelings intact.
I’d reunited them.
Unfortunately, I’d also nearly been taken out in a freak accident in the process.
With Xavier’s arrival, Emily had finally brightened, and I was again reminded of what they were like together. Theirs was a powerful love that should be allowed to flourish. The fact I’d once torn them apart caused my heart to squeeze with guilt.
Emily had once asked me, “If we aren’t fighting for love, what are we fighting for?” Her words had haunted my days because I’d known the weight of this truth. My own fear of falling in love had brought chaos to those I cared about. Especially to Xavier, who had stayed despite this wall I’d built around myself. The same one he’d once managed to tear down.
I’d carried this cross of guilt because I could never forgive myself for Victoria’s death. Moving on felt like betrayal. Her memory brought more love than anyone could give—or so I’d believed until that night in Argyle Castle when Xavier and Emily and I had become something more. I’d highjacked their love and made it my own that night…and I craved it now.
Still, I refused to let their happiness be tainted. Someone had to guard the gates to their paradise and protect them. How could it not be me?
Did I feel the same love for Xavier? Yes, at the deepest level. But if I admitted my feelings to him, I could very well destroy the future they deserved together. As a couple they were perfect for each other. Xavier’s intellect was balanced out by Emily’s creativity. The years he had on her meant his experience could protect her through life’s hurdles. Her youth and ebullience softened his complicated nature.
It was a heartbreaking fact that showing either of them any sign of affection could stifle their attempt to thrive as a couple. Or even encourage them to leave.
This felt like a slow-motion car crash that was going to hurt like hell. The pain was imminent.
Reaching for my iced tea, I decided I’d have to behave as though having them here was no big deal. I didn’t want to guilt them into staying. It was time to let them go—give them the freedom to be together at last. Xavier deserved to be happy. As did Emily, whose profound musical career lay ahead of her. Her talent, beauty, and exquisite nature made me think of her as an exotic bird that was ready to spread its wings and fly.
She climbed the stairs out of the pool and walked toward me looking stunning in her skimpy blue bikini. It was easy to be mesmerized by the sway of her hips and her bright smile.
“Want to swim?” she coaxed. “You can keep your head out of the water, so your stitches don’t get wet.”
“Best I don’t.” I returned my focus to my book.
