“Because we’ve had an opening for the twentieth of March, if that works for you.”
He had no idea what worked for him right now. “The twentieth, huh? That’s coming up soon.”
“I know you had mentioned before you were interested in the next possible date.”
The red lollipop seemed to glow in the palm of his hand. He stared at it, transfixed.
“Connor, did our line cut out? Can you hear me?”
“Yes, sorry. I was just checking my schedule.”Damn. His mountain lion growled. “Lydia, I know I wanted to do the test as soon as possible, but I’ve had a family situation come up and I don’t think I can get to Toronto any time soon. Feel free to give that spot to someone else.”
“Of course. I can book you for a future date.”
“I appreciate that, but everything is up in the air right now.”
“You are planning on continuing with the application process, right?”
His head was spinning. “That’s the hope. Do you mind if I get in touch with you as soon as things have settled?”
“Okay. I wouldn’t suggest you wait too long. I look forward to hearing from you. Take care.”
“Thanks, Lydia. You too.” He ended the call and tucked his phone back in his pocket.
Connor should have been kicking himself for giving up the opportunity to take the test, but he didn’t. He couldn’t. There was too much at stake, and he wouldn’t leave Elaine on her own right now. Maybe down the road, once she was feeling better, he could set up another test date.
And maybe he just needed to figure what the hell he wanted from his life.
Andy sidled up to the receptionist and batted his eyelashes at her. “I like the color of your hair. It looks like carrots.”
The woman handed him another sucker, unable to withstand his charm.
Little lady-killer. He’d have to have a talk with the boy before long.
He chuckled. Lloyd would be proud.
Connor was proud too.
I promised you I’d take care of them, Lloyd. I’ll find a way to keep doing it, I swear.
Connor tucked his red lollipop in his pocket and sat down next to the kids and waited for Elaine.
* * * *
As Elaine chopped up cucumbers for their salad that evening, her slices grew more and more irregular with every slice. She’d been quiet all day, ever since returning home from the doctor’s office. Connor knew she was worried.
Had Josh given her bad news? Something rattled in his chest as he contemplated the idea.
Finished grilling their steaks on her indoor grill, he turned off the stovetop and arranged the meat on a platter. He moved next to her at the counter and laid a hand on her lower back. “No offense, but those are the ugliest cucumber slices I’ve ever seen.”
She glanced at the misshapen chunks and shook her head. “My head’s in the clouds.”
“I know.” He took the knife from her. “Here, let me finish. I only eat pretty cucumber slices.”
Grinning, she stood back and let him finish her work. “Okay, Chef.”
He chopped a few more slices and slid them off the cutting board into the salad bowl. Grabbing a couple of tomatoes from the counter, he started cutting those as well. “So how did it go with your physical?”
“Nosy Parker.”
