Boundless Love (A Limitless Love Series.): (Christian Romance)

CHAPTER 17

Gwen paced furiously on the concrete pavement, trying to control her pent up frustration. The mid day sun was high in the sky, proudly casting down its hot rays. Gwen continued with her incessant pacing oblivious of the thin rivulets of moisture streaking down her tanned skin. Joe casually leaned against the hospital's brick wall, watching his colleague wear out her soles. "Gwen, will you calm down?" He asked for the third time.

She stopped and threw him her most chilling glare. "We have been waiting for two hours, Joe! Two hours! That's a hundred twenty minutes and counting. Not that either one of them bothered to leave their phones on." She whirled on her sneakers and continued pacing.

"I know that but wearing yourself out won't get them here any faster." He straightened from his leaning stance and ambled closer to her. "Isn't the real reason for your mood, the fact that Halima is coming along?"

Gwen froze and held his gaze. "Is it that obvious?" She whispered, casting nervous glances around her. "Have I finally crossed the pathetic line that now everyone can see how much, I desperately want him?"

Joe reached his hand out and placed it on her shoulder. "You are not pathetic..." She shrugged her shoulders and let his hand fall back to his side.

"Really? Because I feel pretty pathetic right now. I pulled a lot of strings to get us in that conference. It was supposed to be just he and I. I have been trying to get him alone for a while now, you know, just to talk, but if he isn't with a patient, he is with Halima. I just wanted to get him away from her for a couple of days to remind him of us. How he used to love me,  and she still managed to sneak her way into my perfect weekend!"

Joe's face hardened. "So this trip was a trap? Is there even a conference?"

"Yes there is a conference, weren't you listening?" She snapped. "I managed to get us speaker positions in it, that's the only way I knew Ryan would agree to go anywhere with me." She looked down shamefaced.

"Oh Gwen, am pretty sure Halima didn't sneak her way anywhere. Ryan invited her. I know this because he was overjoyed when she agreed. He spent a good amount of time on his laptop planning their first date." Joe cupped her clammy hands in his and squeezed gently. "I believe it's time you let go of him. Stop your hateful comments towards Halima because I'm sure that only drives him further away from you. They are in love, Gwen. I have never seen him behave like this with anyone, not even you sweetheart. Accept that then maybe you still have a chance of salvaging whatever is left of your friendship with him." Her silent sobs prompted him to pull her into a hug.

"Y-you are j-just being m-mean. Why are y-you telling m-me all this?" She managed in between sobs.

Joe tightened his hold on her and silently rocked her. "I'm just being honest. You are better than this, have you seen you? You can have any guy you want!" She quickly pulled from his embrace to protest his last statement but he quelled her by holding a finger against her quivering lips. "As long as the man in question isn't already taken."

She pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. "Thanks for agreeing to come to Joe. I couldn't imagine such a long ride with those two."

"Anytime, now compose yourself because they are coming." He said eying the Wrangler make its way through the gate.

Halima's car came to a stop only a few paces from the two doctors. Her's and Ryan's exultant manner quickly evaporated under Gwen's indignant glower. She slowly walked to the passenger side and locked eyes with Ryan. "You are two hours late! I worked really hard to get us into this conference and it's really rude that you showed up this late!"

"Didn't you get my email last night?" He asked, confused.

"What email?" She frowned still boring into his hazel eyes.