Page 79 of Miss Belief

“Yes, they do, but maybe going with him for the weekend had been necessary, so I could get over my crush once and for all.” Getting over heartbreak would be tougher, but I’d throw myself into the club and numb myself to the rest.

“Will working for him be awkward?”

I hadn’t gotten that far in my plans for the future, but I’d deal with it the way I dealt with any emotionally distressing situation. By pretending it didn’t affect me. I was well-versed in the art. “Probably, but I can transfer to another department. Also, he’s most likely moving to the Sydney office in the next couple of months anyhow. I suppose it’s all worked out the way it should.”

Her scrutiny was unnerving. “But you got hurt in the process?”

“Yep. But I’m fine.” I would be. Eventually.

She took my hand in hers. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. Anyway, I’ll return to Dubai tomorrow. Take some extra shifts if I have to, but we’ll get through it.” I had a measure of regret over leaving most of my expensive clothes behind in the hotel room. I could’ve sold them if I’d been thinking clearly.

Her eyes teared up again. “I don’t want you to have to take extra shifts.”

“Tough shit. I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for the bravest little four-year-old on the planet.”

“You were supposed to see Chloe and have some days off.”

“She will understand.” If anyone would, it would be Chloe. “All you need to focus on is getting the best care you can for Penny. Have you thought about getting a second opinion?”

“I think about it, but the options are limited once they hear you don’t have insurance. I wish I could get her into Children’s Hospital.”

“We’ll get through this. She’ll beat it.”

She would. There was no other option my brain could fathom.

My sister, my niece, and I spent the evening watching both Frozen and Frozen II, eating pizza and popcorn, and drinking lemonade. I was out the front door at four o’clock the next morning.

With excellent timing, Chloe pulled up at the curb.

I met her with a hug when she got out to pop the back hatch of her SUV. “I don’t know what I did to deserve such an amazing friend.”

She shook her head. “Please, if taking you to the airport is the only time I get to spend with you, then I don’t care how early I have to come to pick you up.”

“Thank you.”

We got into the car, and she put it into gear before the questions started. “What’s going on with Reid? He’s been blowing up Aiden’s phone since last night. He says he’s on his way here. Something about his mom using his phone to send you messages about getting back together with his ex.”

“What?” Reid hadn’t sent the messages? He wasn’t reconciling with his ex?

“Yeah, crazy. But I did what you asked. I told him I hadn’t heard from you and didn’t know your plans. But, Teagan, please call him.”

Hope bloomed in my chest followed by a piercing shot of regret. “I can’t.”

“What happened between you two?”

There was a lot to catch her up on. But by the time we pulled up to the international terminal at LAX, I’d given my best shot at relaying most of it.

“So you saw the text messages and left, but now you know it wasn’t him who sent them.”

“Yes, but I’m sure by now Chance has told him about the club.”

“So what? Aiden knew about me stripping, and it pissed him off to discover I was putting myself at risk, but it didn’t change how he viewed me. And as much as I’d hate for his family to find out, it wouldn’t change the way he feels about me.”

“This is different. I have no intention of quitting the club. Penelope’s cancer has returned.”

She sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry. Let me speak to Aiden. We could help.”