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"Where to start? She does a little bit of everything." I grin. "She's really something...I feel like I've known her my whole life."
"I'm so, so happy for you, Ryan," she says. "Maybe we can all have dinner sometime."
"That would be great," I smile. "And I'm sure Tex would like to see a bit more of you."
"Okay," she nods. "Well...I should get going."
"Oh, and one last thing," I stop her. "I will take that now if you please."
Amanda looks puzzled for a moment, but it doesn't take long before she realizes I'm pointing at the house key in her hand.
"Yes, of course." She smiles and reaches out to gently place the key on my palm.
"Thanks."
I help her with her stuff, and then we hug one last time before she leaves. I stand there alone and watch her until she disappears around the corner before heading back to my apartment.
As soon as I walk in, I pick up my phone and take a deep breath. I need to call my mom immediately—I want her to know about Sophia. But when I dial her number, the line just rings and rings until it goes to voicemail.
I frown, glancing over at the clock. It's not like her to be busy at this time of day...but I guess she must be.
It can't be more than ten minutes or so before I get another call, this time from my cousin back home. And that's when I know that something is definitely wrong because my cousin, Craig, doesn't just call for any reason. I pick up, my heart pounding.
"Craig?"
"Ryan," he says, his voice breathless. "Thank God. It's your dad."
My whole world tilts on its axis, my thoughts racing to my parents. "What about my dad?"
"He had a stroke," Craig says. "Your mom and I are in the ER right now. I'm just about to call Will and Catrina, but I figured you'd want to hear first since you're closest. Can you get down there?"
"Of course," I say. "What hospital?"
"Jefferson Memorial," he says. "I'll make sure they know you're coming."
I want to call Sophia right away, but I have to ask Craig one more thing before I go. "Wait a second, Craig—how is he?"
"He's..." Craig pauses, his voice cracking.
I can tell it's not good. "Just tell me," I say. "Don't sugarcoat it. I can take it."
"He's hanging in there," Craig says. "But it's bad. I'm sorry."
I close my eyes. "Okay. I understand. I'll be there soon."
Chapter eighteen
Sophia
"Okay...yeah, thanks for letting me know. We'll take off tomorrow."
I watch Ryan as he paces around the room, talking to his cousin in Virginia. Tex is in my lap, and both our eyes are on Ryan, making sure he's okay.
But I don't think he's okay at all.
I don't really know what it's like to have parents you care that much about, but I can see it in Ryan's eyes. He's terrified of losing him. It tugs at my heartstrings, making me want to hold him...
He hangs up the phone and heaves a deep sigh, leaning against the counter and pinching the bridge of his nose. He looks awful—not if you don't know him, but I know him, and I can tell when he's struggling. Right now...he's struggling.
