I shake my head. Of course she will.
“But I actually got here last night. I stayed at your house with Tobias.”
“Alone?” Grandma asks, and now it’s my turn to shoot her a glare.
I sure as hell hope Grandma can read that “she just called off her engagement” look on my face.
“Yes.” Natalie laughs. “I stayed in the spare room, but don’t worry, I cleaned it up this morning while Tobias moved some of your things downstairs for you.”
“Oh, I have a new room now?”
I nod. “Just for a little bit. We should start looking for a new house. One level.”
“How about you two get me out of this bleach box first?”
Natalie’s beaming smile is all I need to not argue.
“You got it.”
I step out of the room to find her nurse or doctor, but my phone rings before I have the chance. A picture of my little sister, Quinn, with a cake smashed in her face appears on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer, finding a quiet spot to sit down.
“Hey! How are you? How’s Gran? My phone died, and I just saw your messages.”
Quinn’s talking a mile a minute, and I can hear noise in the background, as if she's outside on a busy street.
“It’s 2024, Quinn. How does anyone’s phone die?”
“Stop parenting me and tell me about Gran.”
I groan.
“She’s doing better. I’m looking for her doctor now to check her out so I can take her home. Where are you?”
“New York. Just for a couple of more days.”
“Wow, okay. How is it?”
“Not as glamorous as the first time and still busy as ever, but you know me, I love the go, go, go life.”
“You wouldn't be you if not. But hey, do you think you can come stay with Grandma after New York? I can stay until then.”
“Of course. Give me a few days, and I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah, and hey, when does your next book release? I have a new friend who is obsessed with your writing, and I thought I’d send her a signed copy.”
I pinch the spot between my eyes.
One problem at a time would be nice.
“I don’t know. I haven’t exactly finished a book recently.”
“What? Why not?”
“I don’t know. I have a lot going on.”
