Dante realized this might not be the best time to talk about how his family handled death and reincarnation. That was a pretty involved subject, and they were two blocks from the gallery.
“Let’s table that discussion for another day. I’ll tell you anything you want to know, but we’re almost there.”
“Okay.” She folded her hands in her lap and took a few deep breaths.
He glanced over at her. “Are you all right?”
She opened her eyes. “Yeah. I’m fine. I think.”
“I think you can, I think you can, I think you can.”
She smiled. “Choo-choo!”
* * *
Noah couldn’t stand waiting for Kizzy to call and tried her phone number. Perhaps her father had forgotten to give her the message.Yeah, right.He’d thought he’d made a good impression. Maybe the guy was justgrin-fuckinghim.
After an inordinate number of rings, Kizzy finally picked up. “Hello?”
“Kizzy! It’s Noah. Are you all right?”
An audible sigh met his ears. “Yes and no.”
Noah hesitated, but she didn’t elaborate. Finally, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Um…it’s…complicated.”
“Why are you being evasive? If something is wrong, you can tell me. I won’t tell anyone else.”
“I’m sorry, Noah. It’s my father. He really… I shouldn’t share the details. That family situation I told you about? It’s getting worse. I really can’t see you right now.”
“Are you sure? I want to help.”
“You can’t.” Her voice wobbled a bit.
Noah wished he could tell her “Yes, I can.” But how could he reveal his supernatural identity without compromising their relationship? It already seemed tenuous, at best.
“Kizzy, whatever it is, I’m here for you. I really wish you’d let me in.”
“I wish I could. You’ll just have to trust me. It’s the timing. It’s not you.”
Without meaning to, Noah let out a resigned sigh. “Okay. Is it all right if I call once in a while and check on you?”
“Yeah. That would probably be all right. But if I don’t pick up, don’t worry. It’s just…”
“I know. Not a good time.”
“Exactly.”
“Just tell me one thing. Did your father tell you I returned your phone?”
“Huh? No. He didn’t. I found my phone here in his kitchen and thought it was weird. I texted you to say I had an emergency and had to go. I must have dropped it when I thought I hit the send button. I couldn’t find it while Ruth and I were on our way to the hospital.”
“You went to the hospital? Are you all right? Is Ruth okay?”
“Yeah, we’re fine. There was a major car wreck, and they needed me.”
“Shit. I didn’t hear about that.”
