Deep Longing (Bend to My Will #4) Read Free Page B

divorced her, but she didn’t harbor resentment. Her mother still encouraged the father-daughter relationship. She hadn’t accused Joseph of being a bad father.
    In fact, he was a good father, and Vivienne loved him dearly. Divorce wasn’t easy on anyone involved. She thought of Lana, and how her parents had been together for a long time. That must be nice, and so much easier.
    “I haven’t called him, but we text,” Vivienne said.
    “Well, if you need somebody, you know your father will come.”
    “That won’t be necessary, Mom. It’s nothing serious. I’ll be back to work soon.”
    “That’s good to hear,” her mother said. “But do call your father. He will worry.”
    “He will only worry if you tell him I’m sick,” Vivienne said.
    “If he asks, I’ll have to be honest.”
    “Of course, but I’ll call him.”
    “See that you do,” her mother said. “He is concerned about you being so far from home.”
    “Mom, I’m an adult.”
    “Yes, well, you’re still our daughter.”
    There was no way to argue with her mother, so Vivienne didn’t try. After hanging up, she leaned against the sofa. She really should call her dad, but she didn’t feel up to it. That call could wait. It wasn’t as though her mother was going to place an emergency call to her father the instant they hung up.
    She wasn’t well. It could be a virus. Vivienne put her hand on her forehead, certain that she had a fever. A temperature check confirmed it. That was just great. How was she supposed to get her work done if she was sick?
    Later that afternoon, Vivienne texted Alfred to let him know that finalizing the scents would be delayed. She was really sorry, but had come down with something and couldn’t smell properly. He was very understanding, and replied: Take care of yourself. That can wait until you’re well .
    That took some of the pressure off, but when Vivienne’s fever rose she started to stress. Maybe she should go to the doctor, but she didn’t feel strong enough. It would be better to stay warm and drink fluids. That was what the doctor would say anyway.
    The next day went by in a blur. Vivienne kept her fever down as best she could, but she ached all over. Lana had probably spent the night with Trace. That was usually the case when she didn’t come home. And why call her anyway, when Vivienne could get to the doctor if she needed to. She just hadn’t made the effort.
    Yet leaving the apartment and navigating the city to get to the doctor wasn’t appealing. All Vivienne wanted to do was sleep. She hadn’t slept so many hours in so few days, since she could recall. In her delirium, she realized that Friday evening was coming up.
    Vivienne would have to cancel. She had no choice. If she was contagious, she certainly didn’t want Jacob to get sick. But more horrifying was the fact that he might see her like this. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her nose dry. It would take a ton of makeup to cover up how awful she looked.
    Reluctantly, Vivienne sent a text to Jacob. She had waited until the last possible minute to call the weekend off, most of all because she really missed him.
    I’m not feeling well, and have to cancel this weekend.
    Are you sick?
    Yes, I’ve been running a fever all week, and have trouble breathing. I shouldn’t be around anyone.
    I’m wrapping up a meeting. I’ll be right over, baby.
    You don’t need to.
    But there was no reply. Jacob was coming to her apartment, and Vivienne barely had the strength to set the phone on the table. How was she going to get presentable before he arrived? A coughing fit struck, and she used up another handful of tissues. Vivienne willed her body to rise from the sofa, so she could shower and dress. But she couldn’t move. It was hopeless.
     

 
    Chapter 3
    Since Jacob was concerned about Vivienne, he cut the meeting short. She had canceled their weekend together, so he dropped what he was doing, intent on getting to her apartment as soon as possible.