We all watch Nova as she toasts a few slices of bread, and the air grows heavy again.
Sylvia is the first to break the silence by saying, “I’ve spoken to Tim. He’s not happy. We’ll have to sit down for a meeting to discuss how to proceed.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” I mutter. “Rachel is my priority now.”
“I know.” Sylvia gives me a sympathetic look but still says, “The meeting has to happen. I’ll ask for a postponement of a month or two. I also left a message for Bobby, so you can expect a call from him. As your agent, he needed to know not to look at any other scripts.”
Christ, I can’t think about work at all.
My temper flares, and I level her with a look of warning as I snap, “We can talk about work later. Now is not the time!”
Nova drops the butter knife, and the sound draws my attention to her. She gives me an apologetic look, and her voice quivers as she whispers, “I’m sorry.”
I notice how tense she is and the trembling in her hand and assume it’s because she’s upset about Rachel.
Sylvia pulls my attention back to her as she agrees, “Okay. I’ll take care of everything at work. You take a few days to process the news.”
The only thing that matters is Rachel. Once she’s receiving treatment, I’ll think about work again.
“Uncle Easton!” Lainey suddenly shouts, and as I glance over my shoulder, I see her running toward me.
I quickly get up and give her a hug before pressing a kiss to her cheek. “How’s my princess?”
“This is the best day ever. I didn’t know you were coming home, and Nova is here.”
“I’m going to head out and do some damage control,” Sylvia interrupts us.
I nod, staring after her as she walks away from us. “Thank you for taking care of everything.”
“Of course. I’ll call once I have news.”
I turn my attention back to Lainey. “I missed you, so I came home early.”
Her face is filled with excitement. “We’re taking Nova shopping and sightseeing today. Are you coming with?”
Before I can reply, Nova hurries closer and wraps an arm around Lainey’s shoulders. “I haven’t seen you in such a long time and was hoping it could be just the two of us today. Would you mind?”
She glances at Rachel, who quickly says, “I think that’s a good idea. You can show Nova all your favorite places.”
“Okay,” Lainey agrees. “I’ll go get dressed.”
We all watch my niece head back up the stairs before Nova brings the toast and a glass of juice to the island.
“Eat so you can take your medication,” I tell Rachel. I glance at Nova. “Thanks for stepping in with Lainey.”
“Of course. I’m just going to go grab my handbag.”
I pull my phone out and dial the number for my driver, who’s on standby during the day. When Izak answers the call, I say, “I need you to drive Lainey and a close family friend around today. Be ready in ten minutes and tell Tyler.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that taken care of, I let out a sigh while I pick up my half-empty mug. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but seeing as I can’t have alcohol so early in the morning, caffeine will have to do.
While I’m sipping on the lukewarm beverage, Nova comes back into the kitchen and asks Rachel, “Where do you keep your medicine?”
“In my bathroom cabinet,” she answers. “I’ll go up and take it as soon as I’m done with my toast and juice.”
Nova seems to think about something before she asks, “Does Lainey have money? In case she wants to go shopping.”
