Page 51 of Deceived Wrath

This haseverythingto do with Carly, but not in the way she thinks. And I can’t tell Zoe that.

“What do you mean?” I run my finger along the rim of my glass and lick the salt off.

“It’s just…this week has been tough with it being the one-year anniversary, and all.”

“Yeah, but that has nothing to do with getting a new job.”

Zoe shrugs as she looks down at her empty glass. I have no idea if she believes me or not, but this is as much information as I’m going to give her.

“Have you heard from Joe?”

“He called…” I mutter.

Zoe gasps. “He did? Seriously? What did he say?”

“He needed some information about Carly’s health because Amber is in the hospital undergoing tests for a potential genetic heart condition.”

Zoe gapes at me like a fish out of water.

“You have got to be kidding.”

I sigh. “I wish I was.”

“Is Amber okay?”

“I have no idea. Joe refused to tell me much.”

“What a fucking asshole. I never liked him.”

“All I know is that she’s at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. Apparently, they have the best cardiac department—” my voice catches, and I clamp a hand over my mouth. “Sorry.”

“Oh, Fi. You don’t need to be sorry. This must be so scary.” Zoe slides out of her side of the booth to come and sit beside me.

“I’m not even allowed to see her. And the worst part is I always promised Carly that if something happened, I would make sure her girls were safe, and now I’m breaking that promise.”

Zoe wraps an arm around my shoulder. “But that’s not your fault. It’s Joe’s.”

“Still… I should be fighting him harder.”

Zoe is quiet for a moment as she absentmindedly strokes my arm. “I can talk to my aunt.”

“What?”

“You know, my aunt Cathy? She’s a doctor. I wonder if she can find out what’s going on.”

“I’m not sure it works like that, Zo. You know, what with the whole HIPAA thing.”

“Well, it’s worth a try.”

I fight back tears. “You’re my best friend, you know that?”

She flashes me her signature grin. “It’s come up once or twice. Now, enough of the heavy. Let’s get another round in before hitting the dance floor.”

I only last another hour before I finally give in and head home for the night, leaving Zoe in the very capable hands of Luca, the bartender, who has assured me that he will call her a cab once she’s finished making use of the two-for-one cocktails.

Even after changing back into my sneakers, my feet are still throbbing. If I wasn’t so tired, I would be tempted to soak them in a bowl of ice water when I get home.

It’s only a couple of blocks to my apartment, so I brave the January weather and walk, letting the cold night air clear my head.