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She took a bite and chewed. She couldn’t even taste what looked like a blueberry muffin. And it was warm. “Did you bake?”
“They’re from a box. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Thank you. I don’t think anyone slept.” She washed down another bite with a swallow of coffee and pushed everything away. “I can’t eat any more.”
Ella raised her eyebrows. “When I’m stressed, I eat everything in sight. I’ve already had three muffins. Why do you have to be so…so opposite? I should hate instead of love you.”
Carolina gave a small laugh. Her first since last night’s disaster. “I guess I’m the yin to your yang.”
They laughed. Maybe she hadn’t lost Ella.
Sage was still on the fence.
“I’d better go see Abby.” She stood and straightened her dress. “How do I look?”
“Gorgeous as always. With a little wounded heroine thrown in.”
“I’ll come back afterward.” And probably have to pack.
Maybe Mamá would be released from the hospital, so living out of Tybee wouldn’t be a problem.
Carolina used her card to enter the locked restaurant. There were lights and noises in the kitchen. She pulled the door closed and moved toward them.
“I’ll be right there,” Abby called.
Okay. Fine.
Should she stand or sit?
Her stomach hadn’t stop tossing since last night, so she pulled chairs off a table and sat. Then she waited. Took deep breaths. Rolled her shoulders. Crossed and recrossed her ankles.
Abby came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Thanks for coming.”
Carolina nodded.
Abby sat across from her and stared. “Dolley says she can tell from photos, but I can’t see it.”
Carolina swallowed.
“My mother wants me to fire you.” Abby’s green eyes were cold.
Carolina’s breath shook as she exhaled. “My mother wanted me to keep this a secret.”
“The restaurant had the best night ever last night. Because of you.” Abby tapped her finger on the table. “And we have a contract.”
Carolina swallowed. “Whatever you do about me, I hope your agreement with Ella won’t change. She can…play when I would have been singing.”
Abby’s eyes were wide. “Do you want to quit?”
Did she? “I need the money. My mother went on spending sprees after she was diagnosed. I’ve paid down some of my mother’s bills, but now there are the hospital bills. I know they’ll be hefty.”
Abby closed her eyes. “That’s awful.”
“I need this job.” She hated to beg.
Then she waited. She’d been doing so much waiting since she’d returned home, what was a few more minutes in the scheme of things?
“I wish you had told me,” Abby finally said.
“Would it have made a difference?”
“I don’t know. But now I don’t have that luxury.” Abby pushed away from the table. “It’s… I feel betrayed.”
“I’m sorry,” Carolina whispered.
Abby’s gaze drilled into her. “I’m not going to break the contract. I keep my word.”
“Thank you,” Carolina choked out as she stood.
Abby wasn’t going to break the contract, but she probably wouldn’t extend it, either. What would she do then?
Abby nodded. She didn’t smile. She always smiled.
“Do you want me to move out of the apartment?” Carolina had to know what she was facing.
“I haven’t thought that far. I don’t want my mother seeing you here.” Abby rubbed her forehead. “Stay until your mother is released from the hospital.”
“Thank you.” Carolina made it to the door before the first tear fell. She didn’t know if it was relief because she still had a job, or sorrow because the relationship she’d had with Abby was gone.
In the courtyard, her tears flooded out. She’d lost a friend.
* * *
SAGE TEXTED CAROLINA from his doctor’s waiting room.
Glad you’ll still be singing and working for Abby
But was he? Not telling people who her father was—that was monumental. He wanted to be supportive. Be sympathetic. But he couldn’t see any honor in the way she’d handled this clusterfuck. And what was worse, she’d promised to tell him the truth. That stung.
What would his father have done if he’d been in Carolina’s situation? Or his mother. Or his brothers. Would he have kept a secret his mother had asked him to keep?
No matter how he turned this puzzle, he couldn’t put himself in Carolina’s place. Couldn’t understand her justifications.
“Mr. Cornell,” the nurse called from the doorway.
