Chapter 18

"I’m sorry, Mrs. Candy. I was trying to check your breathing. You became completely still, and I thought something worse had happened."

I didn’t really believe that explanation and immediately became defensive.

"What do you mean? Do you need to practically kiss a patient to know if she’s breathing? To me, that looked more like an attempt at harassment."

"No, Mrs. Candy. Please, never think that. I was only checking to see if you were all right. I didn’t even touch you. I’m sorry."

"I thought it was strange."

"Now imagine if you were drowning."

"Yes, what does that have to do with anything?"

"I could give you mouth-to-mouth to save you."

"Of course... I mean, no!"

I remained defensive. It was a clear sign that I was already denying something I wanted very badly. Typical behavior from someone who was lost in life. Anderson continued.

"So, should I have let you die? Or could I kiss you?"

"Of course you could kiss me."

Suddenly, the nurse kissed me quickly.

"You pervert! Have you lost your mind?"

"You said I could kiss you."

"I didn’t say that. Respect me. I’m married."

"But you wanted it too."

"I didn’t want anything. You were talking about saving me if I were drowning."

"And you aren’t? Look at the water, look at the water. Have another kiss."

"Stop it, you shameless nurse."

"You wanted it too. You can admit it."

"Get out of my room now."

"I’ll leave, but does it really hurt that much to admit what we want?"

"Get out of here now."

Anderson stepped away from me and headed toward the door. Before leaving, he stopped, looked at me, and said:

"I’m sorry if I’m wrong, but I know you want me."

He walked away without hearing my response. I was curious and confused.

Honestly, I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I was anxious for Lucy to return to the room.

Anderson left my room, and shortly afterward, Lucy arrived with coffee and my fruit salad.

"What happened, Candy? Why do you have that look on your face?"

"You won’t believe who just left."

"No. Seriously? He came to see you?"

"Lucy, it was all so strange. I was sleeping and woke up with him almost kissing me. I got angry and cursed at him. But that nurse made a joke and ended up actually kissing me."

"I can’t believe it. Are you telling the truth, Candy? I’m shocked."

"Imagine how I feel. I still can’t believe it happened."

"But explain this properly. What do you mean he made a joke and kissed you?"

"That idiot asked if he could save me if I were drowning. Then I said yes, and he kissed me."

"Wow, I can’t believe this. And then?"

"I kicked him out and told him to leave the room."

"You didn’t do that."

"I did, Lucy."

"But didn’t you want it too?"

"Even you, my friend?"

"Why? He said the same thing."

"Yes, he was completely convinced that I wanted him too."

"See, Candy? I was right. That nurse was looking at you differently."

"But I don’t know. Everything was so confusing."

"Forget about that. Tell me, what about his kiss? Did you like it?"

I paused for a few seconds to remember that scene.

"It was wet enough to leave marks. His mouth smelled like mint, his lips were warm and full."

"Oh my God, she’s in love."

"Stop talking nonsense, Lucy. I can’t fall in love. I’m still married."

"Married? No. You’re in the process of separating."

"Separated? Only he doesn’t know about it yet."

We both burst out laughing while I drank that coffee.

Lucy took a bite of her bread and went back to talking about Anderson.

"I still can’t believe what happened. How did everything happen so fast? Why wasn’t I here?"

"Thank goodness you weren’t. Imagine, I don’t think anything would have happened."

"Wow, so now I’m the third wheel in this relationship? Am I getting in the couple’s way?"

"Never, my friend. You come first. I need your help at my house and at Candy Cake."

"Yes, but now you also have Anderson."

"Stop it, Lucy. Otherwise, the two of us are going to start laughing when they get here."

"Wait. But your little boyfriend is going to come back to the room."

"I don’t know. I hope so."

"You’re right, Candy. Instead of crying over spilled milk, you’re taking over the whole farm."

"Exactly, Lucy. Now I see that this accident made me think differently about George. If nothing had happened, maybe I’d still be crying and chasing after him."

"Exactly. Not to mention that whole story about his mother is very strange."

"I still don’t believe that old woman is in the hospital. But if she really is, she must be in bad shape."

"Why?"

"She has cancer and was undergoing radiation therapy. The next step was already palliative care. There was nothing else they could do."

"My God."

"Yes, and that’s why George is acting so strangely."

"Don’t think like that, Candy. Think about yourself. See? Even after everything that happened, there’s still something good inside you when it comes to him."

"I think I still like him."

"Of course you do. You were together for years. No one erases a story from their memory that quickly. But now there’s Anderson and all those muscles."

"Friend, stop it. And what if I tell you that I was dreaming about him when I woke up?"

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah, he and I were in a hot scene. When I opened my eyes, Anderson was almost kissing me. I think that’s why I didn’t react much and ended up accepting his kiss."

"Don’t even try that with me. You wanted to kiss him too, and that’s final."

"Yes, I’m not going to lie to you. That man is gorgeous."

"Really, Candy. He is gorgeous. We just need to know if he’s a wolf."

"To tell you the truth, I’d rather he wasn’t a wolf. That way George won’t get revenge for the betrayal."

"But if he’s human, George can hunt him."

"Not if I marry him first."

"Wow. I didn’t expect that."

"I won’t let someone die because of me. I also hope George stays away from me."

"Everything will be fine. But you can’t keep this secret from Anderson for too long if this relationship moves forward."

"I’ve thought about that, my friend. But I don’t want to worry about it now. I’m a hybrid wolf, and because of that, I can leave the entire pack. I don’t have any important position. My status will disappear after George confirms our separation."

"Yes, we she-wolves suffer because of that."

"I can already imagine how people will stop respecting me just because I’m no longer with him."

"Don’t think like that, Candy. You can change packs. Maybe you could come to mine."

"That would also be a good idea. I want to focus on only two things now: my weight and Candy Cake. I want to erase George from my life for good."

"That’s the spirit, my friend. That way, you make room for something new, Anderson... A new life."

"Yes, Lucy. A new life. Let’s toast."

"Let’s. With coffee."

We clinked our paper cups together as if they were wine glasses. Our friendship was getting stronger and stronger.

Lucy and I thought alike. She was willing to help me. But I also thought about paying her for it.

"Friend, when I get out of here, I was thinking of asking you to help me at home or at Candy Cake. What do you think?"

"Don’t worry, dear. I already told you I’m going to help you with that."

"Yes, I know. But I want to pay you for it. Will you accept my offer to help me with this challenge?"

"You don’t need to pay me anything. I’m doing a favor for a friend."

"That’s not how things work, Lucy. It’s only fair that you receive something for it."

"All right, but we’ll talk about that later. For now, it’s not necessary."

"Okay, but later we’ll settle the amount and draw up a contract."

"That’s not necessary."

"Yes, it is."

"Now, changing the subject, since I took my first step toward Anderson, why don’t you do the same with Dr. Denis?"

"And do you think he wants me? It was obvious that this nurse wanted you, Candy. As for the doctor, he doesn’t even look at me. I’m too old to love again."

"Don’t think that way. You could turn a corner and find a new love."

"I don’t know if I’m waiting for that. I love my single life, staying home alone and taking care of my plants and cats."

"Wow, you have kittens. Who’s taking care of them now?"

"I already made everything ready to be away from home for 48 hours. I monitor all of them through cameras. I have seven cats in total."

"Aw, how adorable. I only have one cat."

"How cute. What’s his name?"

"Anderson."

We burst out laughing when someone knocked on the door and quickly entered.

It was Anderson.

"Hi, Candy. Hello, Mrs. Lucy. I came by before Dr. Denis arrives to give you some good news."