“Stop thanking me,” he says with a grin like it’s no big deal.
Leaning over, I press a quick kiss to his cheek. “See you later.”
He taps the steering wheel lightly. “Later, Ash.”
I managea few restless hours of sleep, but I keep waking up, checking my phone for missed calls. There’s nothing, though, and with a heavy sigh, I remind myself of the old saying:No news is good news. God, I hope that’s true right now.
Forcing myself out of bed, I pull on a pair of sweats and make my way to the living room. I drop onto the sofa, the silence in my apartment pressing down on me so heavily it’s almost deafening.
I stare at my phone for a minute before pulling up Ivy’s number. Wyatt mentioned dinner at my parents’ place, and I could use having my friends and family around today. Maybe she’ll come with me.
She answers on the second ring, a little breathless. “Hey, Ash!”
I frown. “What are you doing? Sounds like you’re running a marathon.”
She laughs. “Almost. I’m vacuuming the stairs.”
“And that’s got you out of breath?” I tease.
“Hey! You live in an apartment,” she shoots back. “How often doyouvacuum stairs?”
I grin. “I don’t.”
“Exactly. Don’t judge me,” she says playfully. “You know cardio’s not my thing.”
“Fair enough,” I reply, smiling to myself.
“What’s up? You’re interrupting my groove here.”
I exhale slowly. “Ben and Laney had to leave for Phoenix early this morning. Molly’s sick.”
“Shit,” she says, all humor gone from her voice. “What happened?”
“Some infection they couldn’t get under control at the care facility. She’s been admitted to the hospital.”
“Have you heard from Ben?”
“Not yet.”
“Do you want me to come over?”
“I’m going to my parents’ place for dinner. Want to come? I mean, I don’t want to mess with your vacuuming schedule,” I add, teasing lightly.
She huffs a laugh. “The vacuum can wait. I’m not missing out on Mama Brookes’ cooking. I’m in.”
Relief washes over me. “Perfect. I’ll pick you up in an hour. That enough time?”
“Yep. I’ll hop in the shower now. See you soon.”
“See you soon,” I say, ending the call and setting my phone down, feeling a little lighter than I had a few minutes ago.
By the time I’m meant to pick Ivy up, there’s still no word from Ben. I stare at my phone more times than I can count, tempted to text him, just to say I’m thinking about him. It wouldn’t be a lie. He’s all I’ve thought about all morning, and the not knowing is slowly driving me crazy. But I hold back. He probably needs space right now, and the last thing I want is to crowd him.
Pulling up outside Ivy’s house, I tap the horn lightly. Seconds later, she comes flying out the front door and down the steps, sliding into the passenger seat beside me.
“Any news?” she asks, her tone careful.
I shake my head, reversing out of her driveway. “Nothing.”
