But I frown when I see my screen.
I tap to open my text messages, then look up at my sister. “I have five missed calls and eight texts sitting here from your husband.”
Astrid frowns. She sits forward. “What? What about?”
“Something with the Grays,” I say, skimming the texts. Mostly they just saycall me,call me immediately, I need to talk to you,andteam emergency.
My stomach is in a knot as I press the voicemail button.
Astrid listens to the first message with me.
Her eyes get wider and wider and my heart sinks further and further.
The ones that follow are simply, “Call me”, “Call me back, goddamit”, “Fucking call me”.
My sister sums it all up perfectly when she finally sits back in her chair and says, “Well… shit.”
CHAPTER 29
NORA
Alex:Need to see you.
I smile the stupid, goofy, falling-in-love smile that I’m sure has been on my face on and off all day when I read Alex’s text.
I need to see him too. I need to kiss him. At least.
Nora:On my way to the park for otter club, actually. You’re invited!
Alex:damn. I can’t resist that. Can we talk there?
Nora:Of course. Otherwise, you can have me all to yourself tonight.
I’m, of course, hoping that he wants me all to himself tonight anyway.
We obviously can’t make out heavily at the park, but I can definitely get a kiss. Or three. The town thinks we’re dating anyway, and just because this is all starting to feel a lot more real is no reason to hold back now. I wanted to kiss him before, and now that we’ve slept together, I can barely think about anything else.
Alex:See you soon.
Okay, he can’t wait until tonight to see me either. That makes me feel warm and melty.
“Heading to the park if you need me,” I say to Sutton as I pass her desk. All of my supplies for otter club are already in the wagon out front.
“Sounds good. Let me know if you need anything,” she says.
“Alex is stopping by,” I tell her with a smile. “He can be my assistant if I need anything.”
She gives me a wink. “Oh, I’m sure he can provide all kinds of things you need. Just don’t get too distracted. Someone needs to keep things organized.”
I laugh with her. Otter club is arguably one of our more chaotic clubs. I doubt very much if anyone participating or observing would think there was anything organized about it.
Even though I walk the three blocks from City Hall to the park, pulling my wagon of supplies, I still get there before Alex. But plenty of people are already gathered.
“Hi, Nora,” Greg and Donna greet.
“Hi, you two. Here you go,” I say, handing over one of the small, bright yellow canvas tote bags from the cart.
They take it and head across the park to a bench.
