“No thanks needed. This is what friends do for each other, Scarlet.”
“Right.” I swipe away a rogue tear.
“Hey, you know what? I'm going to stay on the phone with you until he gets here, okay?”
Like an idiot, I nod again, and then hastily tack on. “Thanks, babe.”
“Is it dumb that I’m second guessing the theme for James’s party?” Nora asks, knowing any mention of her son will surely distract me.
“Yes. His party is literallyweeksaway. You’ve already sent the invitations.”
“I know.” She huffs. “God,I know. But he’s suddenly really into construction, and I saw some invitations online that saidI dig being onewith an excavator on it.”
“That is cute… but, babe, he won’t even remember it.”
She hums noncommittally before moving on to her the wedding and her upcoming her cake tasting.
I try to be a good friend and listen, but my mind is spinning.Why is this happening to me?
Finally, I hear the sound of Atlas's old truck rumbling as he pulls up. “He's here,” I say, interrupting her.
“Okay, good. If you need anything, I meananything, Scarlet, you call me.”
“I will. I promise.” It pains me to lie to her, but the absolute last thing I want to do is drag her into my bullshit.
I'm expecting his scorn—or at least annoyance—when he hops out of his truck, but all he looks is concerned. “Are you okay?” he asks, his tone as gruff as ever.
I nod, wringing my hands together.
“Were you here when it happened?”
I roll my lips together and shake my head.
“You forget how to talk?”
“Um, no.” I train my gaze just on his chest. “I was...”
Ellis steps outside. “She was with me.”
“With you?” Atlas's eyes flare wide with surprise. “And you're both alive to tell the tale?”
“Ha ha. Funny,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself.
Ellis just shakes his head and turns to me. “I don't think you should go inside.”
“What?” I’m instantly on high alert. “Why?”
“Scarlet, please listen to me just this once and stay outside.”
“Absolutely not. This is my home. And I need to check on Fefe.”
“You mean the rodent in the pink cage? She's fine.”
“Do not disrespect the fluff,” I grumble, relief flooding my system. “But I still want to see her with my own eyes.”
“I understand, but I really don't think you should.”
“I appreciate all you're trying to do, but I didn't ask what you thought.” I square my shoulders and lift my chin. “I'm going in.”
