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“Well, should he?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I’m fine.”
But clearly, she’s not. She was sulking when I arrived, then she snapped at me, and now she’s doing her best to pretend like nothing’s wrong – but I can tell there’s something making the wheels inside her head turn continuously.
“How’s your mother?” I ask her. “What happened to her, exactly?”
“Oh, nothing serious.” She shrugs. “She fell off a stool and sprained her ankle. She’s fine.”
So that’s not what’s bothering her.
“Then is there something else you’re worried about? Something else you found out at home?”
The wide-eyed expression she gives me lets me know I’ve hit the nail on the head.
“What is it?” I ask curiously.
I’m curious. I admit it. I know Tom made me look for her and talk to her, but now I want to know what’s going on with her.
I knew it. I still can’t quit her, after all.
Ellis opens her mouth to say something but then closes it again and shakes her head. “Nothing.”
I don’t believe her. “Ellis…”
“Why do you want to know? Why do you care, hmm? Are you trying to get me to sleep with you again?”
I frown. “I thought you wanted to be friends.”
She pushes her glasses up her nose. “I’m sorry. I just… Just don’t mind me. I’m okay.”
“Ellis, I’m a doctor,” I tell her. “I can tell when something is wrong with another person and he or she is trying to hide it.”
“Well, I’m a doctor, too, Rainier,” she points out. “And I’m telling you that I’m okay. At least, I’ll be okay.”
So she’s not okay. “Ellis…”
“Don’t mind me,” she says again.
I sigh. She really can be stubborn when she wants to be. But I can be stubborn, too.
I’m about to say more, but my phone rings. I answer it because it’s my brother.
“Nathan, if this isn’t an emergency, I’m hanging up.”
He may be my brother, but we’re not buddies. We grew up apart. After my parents got divorced, he stayed with my dad. My sister and I stayed with my mom.
“It is,” he says. “Well, sort of. I can’t go to the Northups’ party this year. You go.”
“What? No way. Why should I go?”
“Because you know Dad can’t and someone from our family has to go. The Northups are a major sponsor of our hospitals.”
“Because our father saved Samuel Northup’s life a long time ago,” I tell him. “They owe us. We don’t owe them.”
“It’s tradition, Rainier.”
“Fuck tradition. I’ve got work. What’s your excuse, anyway?”
He draws a deep breath. “Martha has a school play.”
And of course, that’s a valid reason.
“Ask Barb,” I tell him.
“I’m asking you because you still owe me for helping you out with your research. Go.”
He hangs up. I put my phone back in my pocket and snort.
“Like hell I’m going to the Northups’ stupid Christmas party.”
“Did you say the Northups?” Ellis asks me.
I look at her. Surprisingly, she suddenly seems to have some life back in her azure eyes.
“Yes,” I answer.
“You know them, right? Because you’re rich and they’re rich.”
I shrug. “I guess you can say that.”
“It’s not a common last name, is it? Northup?”
“I believe not.” I narrow my eyes. “Why do you ask?”
What is it with this sudden, serious interest in the Northups?
But Ellis doesn’t answer. “You said something about a party, right? A Christmas party.”
“Yes. The Northups throw one at their estate every year on the weekend before Christmas. It’s their way of rubbing in everyone’s face that another year has gone by and they’re still rich.”
“And you’re going?” Ellis asks.
“No, I’m not,” I answer. “I don’t like the Northups. Why are you interested in them?”
“Well, I…” She looks away. “I’m a fan of Suzannah Northup.”
I snort. “I don’t believe that for one second.”
“Why not? She’s pretty.”
“She’s stupid and selfish,” I tell her. “Besides, you’re prettier.”
Ellis tucks her hair behind her ear as she looks away.
“Well, she’s got good fashion sense,” she mumbles.
I let out a breath. “What’s the real reason, Ellis? Why do you want to meet the Northups?”
She shrugs. “Why not? They’re rich. They’re influential. They might… help me one day.”
I shake my head. “You don’t need their help.”
“You don’t know that.” Ellis looks into my eyes. “Everyone needs help, especially those of us who aren’t born billionaires.”
“I wasn’t born a billionaire.”
She ignores me. “Besides, it’s a Christmas party. I love Christmas parties.”
And I can’t tell her she won’t love this one. The Northups always go overboard with their parties, especially with this one.
“So you’re saying I should go and bring you with me?” I ask her.
Ellis nods.
I frown. I don’t really want to go to this party, but it seems like Ellis does. Just the thought of it has her all cheered up already. If I refuse, she might start sulking again.
Besides, I don’t mind the idea of spending a weekend with her, even if it is at the Northups’. It’s a big house with lots of rooms, lots of fireplaces and lots of beds. I know Ellis told me she’s not interested in having any more sex with me, but this may be my chance to change her mind.
