Don’t know what you’re talking about.
There is a second trainer in the gym now. A woman named Mina.
Good.
This is an overreaction.
No. An overreaction would be getting him fired.
OMG
You wouldn’t.
If he crossed a line? Absolutely.
You can’t get him fired.
I’m just saying, if it doesn’t work out there for him, it’ll be for a good reason.
Meaning you got them to hire a second person just in case?
No comment.
Like you don’t know anything about the donation made to every teacher in my former school district for their entire supply lists?
Doesn’t ring a bell.
And none of that has to do with me?
It has everything to do with you, I want to say, but instead, I send a different text.
I didn’t realize you thought the world revolved around you.
I learn from the best.
You.
Now that, I’ll own up to. Being the best.
But just so we’re clear, I’m not a nice guy. I won’t hesitate. I’m not afraid to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Except yours.
CHAPTER 16
NADINE
It tooka few phone calls and emails to put all the plans in place, but it came together perfectly. Camden arranged for Ava, her parents, and younger brother to be picked up from the airport and transported to a hotel, so they would be able to meet Paisley and me for brunch at our favorite restaurant. The same one I took her to the first day we went shopping with twenty-dollar salads.
Brunch is my favorite because of the mimosa flights. She likes it for the stuffed French toast, so she doesn’t think anything of it at first when we walk into a private room. It is her birthday after all.
“Your brother wanted to do something special,” I sign and gesture to the flowers, card, and presents all set up in the middle of the table. I’m not sure what he bought for her since he didn’t run it past me, but I’m learning Camden can be quite thoughtful, if a little over the top.
I’d taken her to get her hair trimmed and highlighted again yesterday, this time with pink. Our glittery nails match, and I’m wearing the woven bracelet she made me in pink, purple, and blue.
This morning was really difficult. She woke up crying, herfirst birthday without her parents. I suspect every first will be difficult, and I pray that I’ll always be in her life to help her through it, if I can.
But seeing her tear open her birthday card from Camden, smiling as she reads it, lets me know she’ll be all right. They both will be.
