“Oh, we’re good,” Holly assured her, inching closer to Peter as she looked up at him. “Pete’s got everything covered, so I can stay with him while Connor recovers. Yes, I’m going to be a hovercraft mom because that’s what I do. Right, Pete?”
He replied with a tight smile, but it wasn’t cool or bitter or acrimonious the way he’d described their relationship.
Well, that was a good thing. That had been what he’d always wanted for his sons. He’d told her that.
But…Holly wasstaying?
“I just wanted to check in…” Vivien said awkwardly.
“And we really appreciate it,” Holly added.
We. Before Vivien reacted, Peter looked past her. “Oh, here’s the doctor finally.”
Vivien turned to see a tall man glancing at a tablet as he walked toward them.
“Thank goodness,” Holly said, putting her arm on Peter’s shoulder. “Let’s ask him about that weird mark on the X-ray, Pete. I didn’t see it, but your eyes are amazing.”
Feeling very much like an extra piece from a different puzzle, Vivien moved away. “Good luck, both of you. And nice to meet you, Holly.”
“And you, Vivien,” she said warmly. “I’m sure we’ll see you again.”
Vivien stole a quick look at Peter, but his gaze was locked on the doctor, and he was clearly focused on the next step in this process.
“I’ll see you,” she said softly to him.
He shifted his gaze. “Thanks for coming, Viv.” For one second, she thought he was going to hug her, and she was surprised at how much she wanted that. But he just smiled. “We’ll be in touch,” he promised.
On that, she pivoted and passed the doctor, hating that her chest burned a little. Nothing was wrong, she reminded herself. They were concerned parents who should be together at a time like this. Holly had been nice, and Peter had been distracted.
And Vivien…was not dating Peter anymore, so she had no right to feel like she belonged here in this situation.
That made her eyes sting as she walked to her car.
Vivien pulledinto the Summer House driveway just as Eli stepped out the front door, moving with the kind of single-minded purpose that made it clear he was not headed out for a casual errand. His shoulders were squared. His jaw set. He didn’t even glance toward her car as he marched toward Gulf Shore Boulevard.
“Eli!” she called, shoving her door open and hopping out. “Where are you going?”
He stopped, blinking as if he’d been pulled out of a thought mid-sentence. “Vivien.” Then, without answering her question, his gaze sharpened. “How’s Connor?”
She froze for half a beat, then moved closer to meet him.
“I never actually saw Connor,” she said, realizing it only as the words left her mouth.
“Really?” Her brother looked surprised, his sky-blue eyes wide. “He’s not allowed visitors?”
“I think he is,” she said, “but he was asleep on pain meds and his mother was there.” She lifted a brow toward Eli. “Holly? You’ve met her, I believe.”
“Eons ago,” he said. “I don’t remember her too well. Small? Redhead? Talks a blue streak?”
Vivien pointed at him. “Bingo. Connor is evidently doing as well as expected. A concussion they’re watching, broken wrist, fractured collarbone. The other guy was arrested for DUI. That’s really all I got, since Peter seemed focused on talking to the doctor. Oh—and I guess Holly’s going to stick around and help her son navigate life in a cast.”
Eli’s face softened, something like relief loosening his shoulders. “Good. That’s… good.”
The moment stretched, then Vivien tilted her head. “Where are you headed like you’re about to stop a crime in progress?”
His mouth curved faintly, but the tension didn’t leave his eyes. “I don’t think I can stop this crime, but I’m going to Left Coast Bridge.”
She blinked. “Left…oh, you mean theLet GoBridge.”
