MELISSA
Troy and Olivia arrive shortly after Luke leaves, looking well-rested and bright-eyed after their night at the Marriott. I try to hide my envy at the sight of their takeout coffee cups, but I must not succeed, because Olivia holds hers out to me.
“For you,” she says cheerfully.
“Oh, no thanks, I’m fine.”
“No, it’s for you,” she insists. “I don’t drink coffee. Troy said you take cream and sugar, right?”
“That’s right.” Part of me wants to decline on principle, but I don’t have the willpower. I take the coffee and force a smile. “Thanks.”
Olivia reaches into a chic leather shoulder bag and pulls out a bottle of apple juice and a granola bar.
“For Liam,” she explains. “Is that okay?”
I nod again, and Liam grabs the granola bar like he’s starving.
Troy takes the armchair next to Claire’s bed. “How are you feeling, Claire?”
“Pretty good. The doctor said I could go home tomorrow.”
Troy turns to me. “Dr. Carlton’s already been in?”
“Yeah, but you didn’t miss anything. Everything’s going well.” There’s no point telling Troy about Liam’s nosebleed, or my idiotic comment about abs of steel.
I notice Troy staring at the bloodstain on my shirt, but fortunately, he doesn’t ask about it. “I thought Olivia and I might take Liam out for breakfast,” he suggests. “If that’s okay with you, Melissa?”
There’s an edge to his tone that I try to ignore. Troy and Olivia offered to take Liam to their hotel last night, but I wanted to keep him with me. I could tell Troy was frustrated that I wouldn’t let him help with childcare after he dropped everything to come to Somerset. After all, he’smissing workto be here.
But I wanted Liam with me; it was as simple as that. Even though Claire’s illness is relatively minor, I still feel unsettled, and having to look after Liam has been a welcome distraction. One of the nurses offered to find him a crib, but she must have forgotten, so I let him sleep in my arms. I think he gave me as much comfort as I gave him.
But now it’s morning, Claire’s on the mend, and Liam needs to get out of the hospital room.
“I think that’s a great idea,” I tell Troy cheerfully. “And when you come back, I might pop home for half an hour to get some fresh clothes.”
“Sure.” Troy looks surprised that I’ve agreed so easily, and that I’d consider leaving the hospital, even for half an hour. But if I don’t get the chance to brush my teeth, change my clothes, and put on some deodorant, I think I might crack up.
And maybe I’m cracking up already, because how else can I explain my abs of steel comment this morning? Lukelooked so guilty about Liam’s nosebleed that I wanted to make a joke, but it must have seemed like I was flirting with him. Which probably seemed pathetic, since Luke’s out of my league on a good day. And today, when I haven’t brushed my teeth, my hair’s a rat’s nest, and I’m wearing the scrub top and yoga pants I slept in?
No wonder Luke’s resident laughed so hard.
I resolve to put Luke out of my mind. The important thing is that Claire’s getting better, and she should be able to come home tomorrow. I imagine we’ll have to come back for a follow-up appointment, but once that’s done, I’ll never have to see Luke again.
After Troy and Olivia leave with Liam, Claire turns to me.
“Mom, why did Olivia come with Dad?”
Wow. Million dollar question, right there.
“Because they’re good friends, honey,” I say carefully. “He probably wanted someone to keep him company.”
“Are she and Daddy going to get married?”
Clearly, nothing gets by my nine-year-old daughter. “I don’t know,” I tell her truthfully. “Maybe. How would you feel about that?”
“I don’t know,” Claire admits, chewing her lip nervously. “It would be kinda weird. Like she’s trying to replace you.”
Out of the mouths of babes. I hardly know what to say.
