“She needs the site experience, and she may as well be there with you. I don’t think it would be a good idea to send her off to a site without supervision. What do you think?”
The idea of Elizabeth on a construction site alone sent a brand-new concern blitzing through me.
“I prefer working by myself, Anders.”
“I’m well aware. Everyone is. But you’ve managed to make some magic happen with Gordon-Bettencourt. There are only four days left of this program, and that includes today. Need I remind you of what that means for you?”
I stayed silent while I mentally sorted through my thoughts, separating Elizabeth from Lily and shoving them into different corners of my brain. Professional. Personal. Promotion. Internship.
Anders sucked on his teeth. “It’s a two-bedroom cabin, Carden. There’ll be more space than sharing an office with her. Unless you’re uncomfortable for a different reason? She seemed fine with it.”
“Anders.”
“She’s leaving after work,” he said. “Anyway, I don’t want to keep you. See you on Friday.” And before I could argue, he hung up, and I was left in a ditch I’d literally dug myself into, wishing the earth would do its part and swallow me whole.
I hurried back to the cabin and plugged in my phone. I took a deep swig of the coffee that had been handed to me at some point. The hot liquid burned down my throat.
As soon as my phone lit up with enough battery power, I turned it on and called Claire, but the line dropped. I went outside to the back deck, where the reception was stronger.
“Lincoln, what’s up?”
“I’m in trouble,” I rattled off. “Elizabeth is on her way here.”
“What?” Claire said. “You asked for space, and she needs to respect that.” I could picture the little frown on her forehead. Claire was as soft as they came, but if her friends were hurt, she transformed into a protective bear.
“Not her fault. Work,” I said.
Claire sighed. “What can I do?”
“I don’t know. I just needed to tell someone. I’m freaking out a little. Honestly. We’ll be alone. I don’t… know how to deal with this. It’s too much.” I pressed my hand against my forehead.
“Do you want us to come there and be a buffer?”
“Are you really going to drive for hours to get here? And then what? Stay for the next few nights?” I asked, and smiled at her determination to help.
She whined on the other end. “Maybe not today.”
“She’s leaving later today. I’m sure she’ll go straight to sleep when she arrives. I know I will. It’ll be late, and I’m already exhausted. I may make it an early night and miss her arrival entirely.” The fog wrapped around the trees ahead of me.
“You sound really, really tired,” she whispered.
“I don’t want to do this,” I said. My battery beeped in my ear.
“It’s going to be okay. You’re so much braver than you give yourself credit for. And if you don’t want to talk to her, don’t. No one can make you, least of all her.”
In the background, Hannah shouted, “Mama.” Cute couldn’t begin to describe it.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. I gotta go. Give that kid a squeeze for me.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Go, go, go. I’m fine. I’ll see you soon,” I said, and only finished my sentence after she hung up:If I survive this.
36
ELIZABETH
[46 weeks ago]
