“What is that smell?”
“Ylang-ylang, peppermint, and wild orange in a diffuser. Well, multiple diffusers. Sexy and uplifting.” She winks at me.
“Sexy.” I roll my eyes. “It’s… refreshing and perfect for summer.”
“It’s my favorite.” I follow her inside, where Violet and Cassie sit at the counter, picking up food from a charcuterie board. Cassie cuts a piece of cheese and hands it to me.
“Try this, Lottie. It’s delicious.”
“Thanks.” I take the cracker and cheese from her fingers and drop them in my mouth. I close my eyes, savoring the taste. “What is the flavor?”
“Truffle honey cheese.”
“It’s good.”
I slide my rear onto a stool beside Violet as Bella pops a bottle of champagne. My stomach has been in knots since he left, and I’ve barely touched alcohol. “Only a small glass for me, please.”
“Vi and Cassie are sleeping in the spare room. You’re also welcome to stay over.”
“Thank you for the offer.” I smile at my friend. “I have a driver who will come and collect me when I need.”
She smirks at me. “Oh, the perks. The offer stands,” she says sincerely.
“You’re staying the night?” I ask Violet, then raise my hands. “No judgment.”
“This girl needs a good time,” she emphasizes by raising her glass. She clinks it against mine. “So do you.”
I nod, the despair filling my chest. “His mom is having surgery tomorrow, a mastectomy, and then begins adjuvant chemotherapy. I haven’t heard from him in two days.”
Her gentle brown eyes meet mine. “There’s not a whole lot to say when a loved one is sick. Your mind is preoccupied, and not a lot changes day to day.”
I nod and take a mouthful of cold bubbles to cool my throat. “There is a distance growing between us.” I search her face for understanding, especially as a nurse. “Every night, I lay awake, hoping this is not the beginning of our end.”
She places a hand on my wrist. “It’s not, babe. Give them time and the space they need as a family. He’ll talk to you when he’s ready. It’s just hard, you know. Unless you’re there going through it with him, you don’t understand the circumstances.”
“But I want to be. I want to support them both.”
“Then go.”
I frown at Violet. “I can’t just go. I’m the governor of an NBA team and have commitments here.” And Jobe has the jet in London. It’s not an excuse, as there are many flights to Australia.
“That your family could pick up the slack for a couple of weeks.”
I take another mouthful. “Possibly. But it’s the timing. I want to go when I can be of use and not aninconvenience…” I sigh. “Or if he even wants me there at all.”
“Of course he does. But you’re right, it is timing. And right now, you’re with us, and we’re going to have a fun night together. Forget the world’s problems and be present.”
Cassie raises her glass. “Cheers to being present.”
We clink our glasses, and I pick at some of the food. “How are the kids?” I ask casually.
“Oh hell, don’t get her started,” Bella says loudly.
I’m grinning as I’m chewing. “Your stories always cheer me up.”
“Because my life sucks right now,” she says with rounded eyes.
I giggle. “Kids are a whole other level.”
