I pace on the grass circling a fenced in play area. A few kids dig in the sand, the girls making castles with buckets and water, love and care. The boys race around like their hair is on fire. I check my texts.
Madame M: Are you feeling better?
Evie: Getting there TY.
Evie: Chicken soup and Vit C.
Madame M: Glad you took my recommendations.
Evie: Of course.
Madame M: I have a new client for you.
Madame M: You’re not contagious anymore -- right?
My throat dries up and I hack. Um…
Evie: Still coughing…
Madame: I’ll send him to someone else. Heal up.
Evie: TY.
Madame: How much longer do you think?
Evie: Soon.
I sigh and scroll.
Amelia: Victoria and I are hitting a club tonight.
Amelia: Join us.
Evie: Sorry. Can’t.
Amelia: Mom?
Evie: No.
Amelia: A date?
A door slams and I startle. Dylan exits our motel room. He’s wearing a white shirt, open a few buttons and charcoal dress trousers. He’s a panty melter for sure and I bite my lip.
Evie: Nope. I’ve fighting off a cold.
Amelia: You need anything?
He moves toward me like a guy appearing out of a mirage in a desert in a cheesy movie. Inside my ribcage my heart rattles about and my knees go a little weak.
“Happy?” He asks.
“You’re super hot when you’re pumped, Rocky.”
I text back while I’m still able to feel my fingers.
Evie: Thanks for the offer but I’m good.
Amelia: Change your mind and we can drop it off on the way out.