walked at the end of the season. “Like I said. I’m giving you the heads up so you can look at numbers and other players.”
He took a deep breath and went on. “There’s a holiday concert this evening at the McNeil Stone College of Music. If you can come to that, I believe you’ll understand my motivations.” He eased a slip of paper with the concert information across the table then stood. He was done trying to convince them he was serious. “I hope you can make it tonight. Thank you both for the meeting.”
He turned and left after that, at peace with what he’d done.
“We could’ve waited for months before doing this,” Patrick muttered once the three of them were in the elevator.
“Yes,” Henrik agreed. “But they know now and it’s not a secret. It’s in their hands how they want to deal with it.” He tucked his wool dress coat around him when they stepped outside. The snow was still falling in a light cascade that was pretty more than worrisome. He shook Patrick’s hand. “Thank you for coming. I hope you can make it tonight.”
Patrick glanced at his watch. “My flight leaves at five.”
“I’ll record it for you,” Vanessa said, ever efficient. “Go home to your wife.”
Patrick sighed. “You know, for a guy who’s given me little trouble, you’re certainly making up for it now.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“I know.” Patrick shook Vanessa’s hand. “I’ll take that video offer. And you—” he pointed at Henrik, his blond hair now dusted with snow, “—stay out of trouble. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks, Patrick.” He watched his agent stride away, thoughts already clicking ahead to the next task on his list.
“You have everything set for tonight?” Vanessa asked.
“I believe so.” He’d spent most of yesterday after Jacqui had left for work getting things in place and practicing. Stumbling tonight wasn’t an option.
“We’ll see you there.” She stretched up to place a kiss on his cheek before heading to her car. How she managed not to slip in her high-heeled boots, he’d never know.
He checked his phone. Still no word from Jacqui. She’d been anxious that morning even though she hadn’t voiced her concern. Waiting for the test results was grinding on her. He hadn’t asked her about it though. She’d tell him when she knew, and until then he had his fingers crossed and was staying positive.
* * *
The snow was still falling, its persistent dusting slowly accumulating into a thin layer on the ground. Music played through the expensive sound system in Henrik’s luxury car, a soft background of alternative rock that Jacqui liked.
Henrik had picked her up for the concert, looking gorgeous in his designer suit. Her mother had gushed over them both before sending them out the door with a promise that the family would be there. They always were.
The ring of her cell phone was a jarring note into the calm she’d finally managed to find. Two days of waiting for her test results had been a trial of patience and banked nerves.
Her hands were a sudden shaking mess, making her scramble through her purse more cumbersome that it should’ve been. Her heart froze then raced when she saw her oncologist’s name displayed on her phone screen.
For a brief second she was tempted not to answer. To put off the knowing for a bit longer. And that would solve nothing.
She glanced at Henrik, his strong profile backlit by the street lights, and swiped the screen to answer. “Hello.”
“Jacqui. Dr. Olmstead here.”
“I know.” Her answer was abrupt, given she’d known the man for over twelve years. “I’m guessing the test results are back.”
“They are.” His tone was professional, which had her fear rising. She closed her eyes, breath held, blood rushing in her ears, and waited. “All your tests came back negative for cancer.” Negative. The word stuttered through her mind, hitching on the meaning. Negative. “I requested additional blood work and scan based on a suspicion I had.”
Damn it. Her short-won relief was shot down by that one sentence. “And?”
“Stop worrying, Jacqui.”
She slumped back in the car seat, tears rolling down her cheeks with her relief. “You’re sure,” she managed to ask. “Absolutely?”
“Absolutely.”
“But the stomach pain,” she insisted, rubbing the sore spot, thinking of how cancer metastasized to other parts of the body. “And the nose bleeds and bone pain?”
“The additional blood test was to confirm what the new scan showed. You have an ulcer. That’s all. A condition that can usually be treated with medication. As