Page 153 of What About Us

“Where are you going?”

I’m tapping the screen, canceling the ride.

“I was going to Montana to get you.”

She blinks at me, and then those beautiful baby blues fill with tears. “You were?”

“Fuck yes. You were gone too long, and I’m an impatient man, Red.”

Now her phone pings and she bites her lip.

“Cally’s stuff is here.”

“I’ll get it.” I kiss her once more, softly, then shift her onto the couch, but before I walk away, I cover her with her favorite fluffy blanket and then stride over to the door and call downstairs to speak with the concierge.

“Hello, Mr. Hendrix,” he says. “Shall I accept this order for Ms. Ivy?”

“Yes, please. Do you have time to bring it up?”

“Of course, give me just a moment.”

I fill Ivy’s water bottle, then do the same for Cally, filling a bowl with water and setting it on the floor. The doorbell rings, so I go to fetch the delivery.

“Thank you,” I say as I accept it, pass over a hundred-dollar tip, and then quickly fill the pan with litter, which Cally immediately uses. “Good girl.”

Grabbing Ivy’s water, I join her on the couch and pass her the tumbler.

“I haven’t had enough water lately,” she says and takes a drink, then sets it aside and scootches closer so she can touch me.

“So, what have you been up to, Red? You were vague as fuck last night.”

I brush my thumb over her freckles, and she closes her eyes, as if she’s soaking up my touch.

“Well, a lot happened,” she admits and then takes another drink of her water. She’s stalling. I know her. But I’ll allow it.

Suddenly, Cally jumps up with us and starts making biscuits in my lap, and I pet her, from her ears to her tail.

My girls are here.

“I’m a mess, Xander.”

“You’re my mess. And we’re going to sort it out together. Always. So let’s start now.”

She nods slowly. “First of all, I was always coming back. I wouldn’t just leave, even if I’m freaking out. I’m not your mom.”

I narrow my eyes and feel my stomach tighten. “I know.”

“I went straight to work when I landed.” She outlines that first day, which all sounds pretty normal for her. Worked a long day at the hospital, then went home to Cally and to warm up dinner. “You never replied to my texts.”

She blinks up at me.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t like being ignored, so don’t do that again.” She blows out a breath. “I guess what it boils down to is, I have been so fucking scared, Xander. I’ve had pretty bad anxiety since I was a kid.”

I frown and hold her hand, bring it up to my lips.

“I worry about stuff that hasn’t happened yet. I fixate on the horrible what-ifs. I always have, although it’s been so much better since I’ve been with you. You calm me down just by being near.”