Devotion

Chapter 9

LEOMI

"How long are you staying?" I ask Giselle as she moves around the kitchen. I got home about an hour ago, and she arrived soon after.

I was supposed to start cooking two hours ago, but I got here late and I'm only now beginning. Despite my insistence that she didn't have to, Giselle also insisted on helping.

"Two days. I have to be back by Wednesday." She says as she washes the rice.

"Oh. Well, that's okay. At least I get to see you now since you probably won't be back for at least two years," I say as I chop the vegetables on a cutting board. After a while, I hesitantly ask, "Have you seen him?"

Giselle raises her head and stops what she's doing, then turns to me. "I haven't seen him since I left." But when she turns back to finish washing her hands in the sink, she mutters, "Not that he wants to."

"That's not true. I'm sure he'd love to see you," I reassure her, but she shakes her head, her expression darkening with sadness. I get it. She had to prioritize herself.

"I miss him. I do," she admits, wiping her hands with a towel before swiftly brushing away a tear that escapes down her cheek. "But maybe it's best if we're not together."

"Don't say that. He became a completely different person after you left. He needs you, and you need him."

"It doesn't matter. I'm staying in Haiti until I get my shit together. I was a mess when I was with him. He doesn't deserve that. He deserves better. I don't want or expect him to forgive me after what I did," she explains after taking a deep breath. I can tell she's trying so hard to keep it together, but she's failing, which prompts me to rush to her side to offer comfort.

"I'm sorry," I whisper as I hug her, feeling her embrace tighten around me, revealing how much she needed that comfort. "But I don't agree with you. You did what was best for you, and I'm not saying you should regret that decision. Sometimes you have to be a little selfish to protect yourself. You needed a break from everything. I'm proud of you. Not everyone would've been brave enough to make that choice."

Giselle starts crying, and I hold her silently, understanding that she needs this release.

"Thank you," she says, pulling back after a few minutes, straightening her dress, and offering me a small smile.

"Anytime, girl," I reply warmly before getting back to what I was doing. We finish cooking and talk about my day. Giselle notices the smile on my face as I recount everything, which surprises her because I've always been terrified of small spaces, especially being trapped in an elevator.

"What's got you smiling so much?" she asks, taking a bite of her legumes after we finish setting up everything in the dining room.

"It wasn't that bad since Ares was there. We played 'would you rather.' It was fun. If I'm being honest, I eventually forgot where we were."

"Being trapped in an elevator was fun... for you?" Giselle asks, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smirk. "You must really like Ares."

"What? No, I... I don't. I mean, in a completely friendly way, yes," I stammer, struggling to explain a feeling I've been avoiding.

"Who said I was talking about you liking him romantically?" she asks, holding her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Knowing Giselle, she definitely was. Before I even met Ares, she asked me if I had a crush on him. And now, she expected me to think she meant in a friendly way?

"Because I know you," I say, pointing a finger at her. She raises her hands in surrender, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Okay, fine, I did, but only because it's true and I honestly think he's good for you," she admits sincerely.

I think about what she said, but knowing things are never that easy for me, I shake my head.

"I don't think so," I say, recalling all those times he's teased me but never let it get any further than that.

"Why do you say that?" she asks, taking a sip of her water.

I take a sip of my water too, almost unconsciously mimicking her. "He...likes to tease me," I go on to explain what happened the night the girls and I made the bet.

"Oh my God! He did what? But why wouldn't he kiss you? I hate it when men do things that confuse you," she asks, looking annoyed, after I finish explaining.

"Me too, sis. I mean, I've only ever had one boyfriend and we barely lasted a month. I don't get men, and I'm not even sure I care enough to try..." Then suddenly something hits me, and I realize, "I don't even know if he's single!"

"I'm sure he is. Wouldn't the paparazzi have found out somehow? He's one of the most famous actors in Hollywood."

"That's true, but I should find out either way," I say, taking a bite of my food. Giselle frowns momentarily at my words, then smiles as if she's realized something.

"This food is amazing. Pass me the salt, please," I thank her, handing it over before we settle into eating silently, enjoying each other's company. Afterward, we laugh and watch TV together, just like we used to when we lived together.

In the last three months I've known her, Giselle has become more than a friend. She's one of the only family I have left. She always checks up on me like an older sister would, and it's been really nice. As an only child, I never knew what that felt like... until I met Giselle.