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“What’s going on?”
“Just a stomach bug. I’m sure it’ll pass but I don’t want to get anyone sick.”
She agreed, but there was something about his tone that didn’t ring true. Turning her back on Toby, who was watching avidly, she asked, “Is there anything I can do?”
“No, nothing. I’m sorry I can’t come in. I know we were supposed to do some of the social media shots today. I’ve already told Sophie to postpone.”
“Right. That’s not a big deal.”
“Listen, I have to go. I’m just not good company right now.”
Something had happened, something that sent him into a spiral.
“Okay. Feel better.”
“Ashley?”
“Yes?”
“I had a nice time last night. I’m not trying to avoid you or anything like that, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not worried,” she lied. “I had a nice time, too. Willa’s talked of nothing else.” Best not to talk about the other, the promise of intimacy about which she’d gone to bed dreaming. “Just take care of yourself.”
“Okay. Thanks, Ash.”
He clicked off and she turned to find Toby looking at her with a supercilious grin. “What did you do?”
“What? Nothing! Dex got tickets for me and Willa for last night’s game, that’s all.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Something else is going on here. Why are you being all whispery and secretive?”
“I’m not. Now catch me up with what else is going on.”
She half-listened while Toby filled her in on the latest additions to their menagerie and the applications for foster care and adoption. Her mind kept straying back to the phone call. Dex had sounded so down and even she knew she wasn’t the reason for that. So what was? How could she help?
An hour later, she made up her mind. After a quick pitstop, she checked the volunteer files for Dex’s address, then headed to his building, praying that he was home as he said and wasn’t (a) with someone female or (b) out and about after pretending he was too ill to leave his apartment.
The doorman smiled at her.
“Hi, I’m here to see Dex O’Malley. He should be expecting me.”
“Your name?”
“Ashley Adams.”
“Okay, let me call up.” He picked up the phone. “Mr. O’Malley? A Ms. Ashley Adams is here to see you.”
A moment passed in which Ashley questioned all her life choices, and then the doorman nodded her through. “Fourth floor, elevator is on the left.”
“Oh, thanks so much!” Don’t sound so surprised to be admitted. On exiting the elevator, she saw Dex standing outside a door about halfway down the corridor.
With a woman.
Oh, what a dummy she was. Tempted to turn on her heel, she decided that no, she was much more mature than that. She took a step forward and now noticed more details. Dex’s arms were crossed, and he was in a full-on scowl that did not suit him. He met her gaze with a stormy one of his own.
“What’s going on? Is Willa okay?”
“She’s fine.”
