Page 76 of Love Among the Ruins
She tried to slowly stand up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked as she looked around for her sandals.
“I’m going back to the hotel.” This was wrong, so wrong, on a million different levels.
“The one where you have to trudge up three flights of stairs because there’s no elevator?” he cried.
“Stop reminding me of that.”
“I’ve heard you complaining about it enough times.”
“That’s not true.” She’d mentioned it to Miranda once, maybe twice. Okay, maybe a few times. Had he listened to their conversations while passing?
“You should hear yourself.” He moved closer to her. “Stay here and rest up. The doctor said for you to rest up for a few days at least.”
She struggled to get up, but the moment she put weight on her foot, it hurt too much.
He continued watching her hobble and flail. “You can’t go anywhere. You can’t work, not like that. I wish you would listen.”
She collapsed back on the sofa. There was no point in arguing with the man. She had to begrudgingly accept that he was right. He seemed to be annoyed at her.
“This wasn’t my fault. I rushed to get downstairs because—” She stopped.
“Because?”
“No reason.” She couldn’t think straight and was in danger of saying something that would embarrass her. But one thing was certain, she could not stay here.
“I’m going to meet with Galatis. You have the house to yourself. Take it easy. You heard the doctor. No running or aerobics either.”
She made a face. “Very funny.”
“Rest up, and maybe this evening, or tomorrow, I’ll see that you go home.”
Because he turned and left, he didn’t see her mouth hanging open.
This evening?
Tomorrow?
God, no. Not tomorrow. She’d be out of here by sunset at the latest.
