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Those were aberrations. Nothing to do with you.
She headed out of the neighborhood toward the office.
And what about the precognition with Little Nate? What was that all about?
With a glance in her rearview, she caught the worry in her eyes. “Not today,” she told herself. “Not today.”
With an effort, she pushed aside all her guilty thoughts and snapped on the radio to drown out the nagging voice in her head. She wheeled into Suncrest Realty, parked, and hurried inside. To her surprise, Jade was seated in a chair near the circular desk, where, as usual, Pat was sitting, headset in place, fingers poised over a keyboard but not typing.
“Hey, there. What brings you here?” Elizabeth greeted Jade warmly.
Pat, as always, was avidly listening in and pretending to be busy. Her interest in everyone else’s business was beyond annoying.
Inwardly, Elizabeth groaned, but she ignored her for the moment.
Jade flashed a quick smile. “Hi.” The deep green sweater she wore looked great against her dark skin, her belly bump protruding. She sighed and apologized. “Sorry I missed last night. Things have just been crazy.”
“Tell me about it. And anyway, you’re pregnant. Everything feels kind of crazy at the end.”
“I know, but seeing everyone at Vivian’s would have been fun.” Jade’s dark eyes were sober. “So how’re you doing, girl? I wanted to say more at the service, but . . . you seemed kind of like you wanted to just not talk.”
“You read that right.” Elizabeth turned her back to the reception desk, hoping that Pat wouldn’t overhear. “I was . . . in a fog . . . a state of disbelief. I still am, I guess, but I’m okay.” Of course, the last statement was a lie and even sounded false to her own ears.
“You can’t be.” Jade shook her head, hooped earrings catching in the light. “When things like this happen—”
“Yeah, I know. It’s weird having Court gone,” Elizabeth admitted, a shiver feathering down her spine. “But anyway, what are you doing here?”
“I’m just squeezing out some time this morning for myself, you know? Byron’s taking care of Nate to give me a little time to myself.”
“Want to come back to my office? I’ve got some clients coming in soon, but they’re not here yet.” Elizabeth pointed to the hallway.
Jade waved the offer away. “I should have known you’d have clients. I talked to Deirdre and she told me you said you were coming in around eleven today. I just thought I’d drop in and just say hi, and see how you were.” Again she grinned. “You look fabulous, by the way.”
“That’s a joke.”
“No, seriously. You look great. But you always do.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She felt as if she’d been through the wringer backward and forward. “You’re a liar, but thanks.”
“I hoped we’d have time for coffee, you know but no big deal. Another time.”
“Maybe later?” Elizabeth said. “I’ve got an open house in University Park, but if you’re around, maybe . . . ?”
“Don’t I wish.” Jade grinned again, showing a dimple. “I’ve barely been gone an hour and Byron’s texted me twice. I swear that man is helpless when it comes to taking care of his own child. Wait till this one gets here.” She dropped a hand to her rounded belly and patted it gently.
“The Sorensons just pulled up,” Pat announced loudly from her desk, then sent Elizabeth a quick, admonishing glare.
“Another time. It’s a date!” Jade got to her feet and headed toward the door. “Oh, by the way, Deirdre told me about GoodGuy.” Elizabeth felt her muscles tighten as Jade went on, “You know, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that license plate at Fitness Now!, too, but, really, Elizabeth, you can’t let some jerk force you into giving up your membership. I mean it. I need to get this body back in shape as soon as Abercrombie shows up, and you need to be there.”
“Abercrombie?”
“Or Fitch,” Jade said, “depending on how I feel.”
Elizabeth chuckled.
“You’re not quitting,” Jade insisted again. “There are too many bad guys with road rage just like GoodGuy.”
“He’s not the reason I’m quitting the club,” Elizabeth assured her as they walked outside together. “It’s more a matter of... getting my finances in order.”
