Page 10 of When Forever Stays

I give Rhett an awkward smile and shuffle out of the room and down the hallway into an empty waiting room.

“That same Rhett, yes,” I explain every minute of my crazy day as quickly as I can to prevent Crew from making any further comments about Rhett without knowing the full story.

“Rhett’s claiming that he lost his memories? Right,” Crew says in an irritated tone.

“I’ll tell you about it later,” I say.

“Have you eaten? When will you be home? I’ll bring some food for everyone.” Crew sounds more like a doting grandmother than my cousin and best friend right now. He’s always been protective of me, but this feels like a bit too much.

I’m quiet for too long, and since Crew knows me too well, he asks, “What aren’t you saying? You’re not letting that scumbag stay with you, are you?” I’m glad I made sure to put plenty of distance between me and Rhett’s room when Crew raises his voice once again.

“So what if I am?” I ask, feeling defensive of Rhett. “Besides, he’s not a scumbag,” I whisper into the phone.

“He ghosted you!You!Why would anyone ghost you?” Crew sure does know how to stroke my ego.

“I’m not sure, but God is telling me to take him in, and Dr. Woodhouse said Rhett should stay with me for at least a night to be monitored.” I wish I could talk to West and ask for his advice since he knew Rhett. But since West and my sister are still on their honeymoon, I’m stuck navigating this situation without my brother-in-law’s input.

“Really? God is telling you to live with a man?” He scoffs.

“I’m not living with him! He’s only staying for one night. If you think that’s a problem, willyoutake him in?” I ask, my voice rising.

Crew grunts. “No.”

“He doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”

“Do you really think he has amnesia?” Crew’s tone is full of disbelief.

“I do,” I answer. When he started flirting with me, I questioned if his amnesia was a ruse to make me move past his abandonment. His inner flirt has been out full force. “I mean, Dr. Woodhouse seems sure that Rhett has amnesia. And other than his flirtationwith me, Rhett has shown no signs of having any memories.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince more, Crew or me.

“He’s already flirting with you?” Crew asks.

I facepalm. There is no reason why I needed to share that tidbit, but I blame it on my overtired brain. “Yes.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Well, he makes my heart pound like a drum and my insides turn to goo.“Angry.” Also true.

“Good. Don’t forget what he did to you.”

“I won’t.” The last thing I’ll do is let Rhett back into my heart only for him to rip it out again.

Crew releases a heavy sigh. “Fine. Do you know if he has any food allergies?”

“Not that I know of.” I tap my lip with my finger, trying to remember things he ate during our few lunch breaks together. “Pepperoni pizza would be good.”

“I’ll pick it up on my way,” Crew says then we hang up. I look at the clock on my phone and realize it’s almost two in the morning.

I take a moment to compose myself and send up another prayer for guidance before going back to Rhett’s room.

He greets me with a sad smile. “You don’t have to do this.”

His words send a new feeling of purpose through me like I was designed to take care of this man. Forever. But I don’t allow myself to dwell on it. I cannot allow myself to get more wrappedup in Rhett than I already am. My beach walk was supposed to help me dispel these desires, not turn them into a life purpose.

“I do. Right now you’re my responsibility.”

His face falls. I inwardly cringe at how callous I sound.

“That’s not what I mean. I just—I want to help you.” I pull out all the clothes I bought while out on my late-night-necessity run. I hand him the jeans, black T-shirt, and pack of socks that I bought at an all-night supercenter. When I get to the boxer briefs, I blush and drop all the clothes onto his bed. Then I grab the grocery bag of toiletries and lift it.

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