“We’ve been bonding,” Rohan interjected.
Jalen smiled at him, and she knew she would have to do something nice for him because he didn’t have to help her the way he was. Landon could have hung out at the hospital, but she wouldn’t have been able to keep an eye on her while she helped patients.
When they finished with lunch, Jalen tried to pay, but Rohan picked up the ticket, not even letting her see it, and handed thewaitress his card. She side-eyed him but refrained from saying anything and then placed a tip on the table for their waitress.
Once he signed the ticket and placed his card back into his wallet, the three of them stood and headed out of the doors. She pulled her jacket on as she went. Though it was December, the temperature rose throughout the day, so sometimes she could get away with a jacket.
“You’re still leaving at five today, right?” Jalen checked with Rohan, and he nodded. “Alright. I’ll swing by when I get off and pick her up, and then I’ll see you tonight at seven-thirty?”
“You sure will, baby,” he responded, leaning down to peck her lips as they stopped at her car.
“Get a room,” Landon muttered.
When they pulled apart, Landon came forward, wrapping her arms around Jalen. Her little sister squeezed her tight, and Jalen felt as if she was trying to crush her bones.
“I love you, Jae, and I’m sorry. You’re the best mom.” Landon let out a little shaky breath. “See you later,” she added before turning and heading towards Rohan’s car quickly.
Jalen watched her go before turning her attention to him. “What was that about? Did she say something to you?”
He ran his finger up and down her cheek. “She just wants you to know she loves you. And I told you, we just bonded.” He leaned in and kissed her again. “I’ll see you later, baby.”
She got into her car and sat there for a moment. She exhaled slowly, wiping the single tear that slipped down her cheek. She hadn’t truly known how much her little sister’s negative words had affected her until she’d just expressed herself. It was like a weight lifted from Jalen’s shoulders. Though she hoped Landon didn’t think that would simply make things normal again, because she was still grounded.
Starting her car, she pulled out and headed back to the hospital.
20
Jalen heard quick footsteps coming down the hall, and Kodi was in her doorway a few seconds later, waving what they used as a house phone around in her hand. She raised an eyebrow at her little sister.
“I think this is the man Landon was talking to,” Kodi breathed out.
Jalen held her hand out for the phone, and in typical Kodi fashion, her little sister answered the phone herself, placing the phone on speaker.
“Hello,” Kodi spoke.
“Hey, are you okay? I haven’t heard from you.”
“Um, yeah, I’m fine.”
“You sound different. Are you alright, Farrah?”
Jalen and Kodi looked at one another, and Jalen knew they were both thinking the same thing. Why was this man using one of their middle names? His accent was a bit thick, so she couldn’t be sure which name he was using.
“I’m fine. Why are you calling me that?” Kodi asked.
“Because it’s your name?” he questioned as if he was just as confused as the two of them now stood. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he then inquired.
“Okay, I’m going to come clean with you. I think you’ve been talking to my little sister. Not to me,” Kodi said, and Jalen looked at her as if she was crazy. Why would she say that before they discovered who this man was?
“I’m confused, so you aren’t, Farrah?” he asked.
“Are you saying Farrah or Varah?” Kodi questioned, and Jalen was wondering the same thing.
“Farrah,” he responded.
“Spell it?” Kodi requested.
“V-a-r-a-h.”
