Free Thrill Me by Susan Mallery Page B

wrong?”
    The other woman hesitated just long enough for Maya to realize she’d stumbled on the truth. Even if she didn’t know what it was.
    â€œTell me,” she said gently. “Please.”
    Elaine nodded. “I hadn’t planned on saying anything to anyone. You weren’t supposed to guess.”
    Normally Maya would have made a joke about being perceptive, but somehow this didn’t seem like the right time.
    â€œI need you to promise not to say a word to anyone,” her friend continued. “I mean it, Maya. You have to swear.”
    Maya was clear on the danger of making a promise without having all the facts. Even so, she didn’t hesitate. “I promise I will keep your secret for as long as you tell me to. No matter what it is.”
    â€œThank you.” Elaine gave her a shaky smile that faded quickly. “I have breast cancer. The tumor is small and was caught early, but still. Cancer.”
    Maya’s stomach tightened as she did her best not to visibly react. Fear for her friend ripped through her. She reached across the table and grabbed Elaine’s hand. “What? No. I’m so sorry. What can I do to help? How can I make this better?”
    â€œBy keeping my secret.”
    Maya drew in a breath. “You’re not telling Ceallach?” she asked in a whisper.
    â€œNo. Or the boys. I don’t want them to know. They won’t take it well. You know they won’t. The last thing I need right now is to be making them feel better. I just want to get through it.”
    Maya nodded, even if she didn’t agree with the decision. Elaine would need support from more than her. She was dealing with a scary diagnosis and the treatment that would follow.
    Elaine explained how her routine mammogram had detected a small mass. It had been biopsied and she’d gotten the diagnosis. She paused as Wilma returned with their lunches.
    â€œEat up,” the older woman instructed before leaving.
    Maya stared at her sandwich and knew she would have to take it home.
    â€œWe have to eat,” Elaine told her. “Not only because Wilma will yell at us if we don’t, but because not eating won’t help me. We’re both going to need our strength.”
    â€œOkay.” Maya reluctantly took a bite. “So what’s the treatment plan?”
    â€œA lumpectomy followed by six weeks of radiation.”
    â€œYou have to tell them,” Maya said quietly. “They need to know.”
    â€œThey don’t. Maya, I appreciate what you’re saying, but this is my decision. I’m going to get through this, then I’ll deal with my family.” Her dark eyes narrowed. “You gave me your word.”
    â€œI know, and I’ll keep it.” Even though she knew her friend was wrong. Ceallach and her sons would want to know. They would want to be there for her.
    â€œI’ve rented a studio apartment in the same building as Morgan’s Bookstore,” Elaine told her. “A place to go rest after my radiation. I’ve heard the treatment can make me tired. I can get myself back and forth to the clinic or whatever it’s called for that, but I will need help after the lumpectomy.”
    Maya forced herself to chew the bite she’d taken, but the sandwich had no flavor and she knew she wouldn’t be able to get down much more.
    â€œOf course. What can I do?”
    â€œDrive me there, then bring me back to your place. I’d like to stay the night.”
    Because she would have had surgery, Maya thought. “Can you schedule for a Friday morning? We can say we’re having a girls’ weekend. You won’t have to go home until Sunday. By then you should be feeling better.”
    Elaine gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you. They said the lumpectomy shouldn’t take long.”
    â€œHowever long it takes, I’ll be there.”
    Maya was more than happy to take care of her friend, but she