"And don't I know it. But his delivery could use some work."
Now I laugh in earnest, not because she's right, even though she is, but because I just defended him.
I need to get my head on straight before I totally lose my mind.
"I'll leave you to it."
I point to the silencer. "We should…"
She nods, and I shut it off.
"There you are," she says right away, in a suddenly near-perfect American accent, and I get the sense she's helped the guys more than she let on in the 'old days' they're always talking about. Céline is good at this.
"Hi, sorry, I don't think lunch agreed with me."
"Poor dear. Do you want me to come back and walk Ellie again later for you?"
"That's okay. I've got it. Some air might help."
"And you're away this week, right?"
Céline gives me a coy look, and I should be happy that I'm going to spend the week with the guys, but the reminder makes me want to throw up again.
"Yeah. I'm back Friday for Halloween, though. There's a party I promised to go to with a friend. I might need help with Ellie that evening if you can?"
Her brow crinkles, trying to tell if I'm serious or if this is part of the acting. I nod to tell her I am serious and she nods back.
"Of course I can. Let me know what time."
"I will."
"Have fun this week!"
When she leaves, I wonder if maybe it's best to cancel the whole thing. It was going to be really hard for Atticus to swing it without drawing suspicion anyway.
I drag my sorry ass to the bedroom, and am greeted by Ellie, who comes to see if I'm all right with some tentative face kisses as I fold myself onto my knees in front of the bed and dig for the burner phone between the mattresses.
There's a slew of texts waiting for me when I open it. Multiple ones asking how it went, requesting a debrief, getting progressively more concerned as they pop up onto the screen and vanish one by one. The last one isn't as concerned, and I know this one came in after Céline told Atticus that I was fine and hung up on him.
Unknown
Sorry. We can debrief when you get home. Your ride will be there at six sharp. Be ready to go.
Please.
The nicety as an afterthought is so Atticus that I roll my eyes. I should be annoyed, but the still aching thing in my chest squeezes, and I don't know why. I blame the fact that my entire worldview just tilted, and I still don't have my feet under me.
My fingers hover over the keys.
Sounds like Atty managed to find a way to bring me home for the break, like he promised. I guess it's too late to cancel now…
I bite the dry skin on my lower lip, and slowly type my reply.
Aurora
I'll be ready.
I'm about to tuck the phone away again when another message pops up.
