“Snitch.” Lauren stuck out her tongue.
The doctor smiled, then grew more serious as she opened the exam room door. “Stop at the reception desk and make an appointment for one month. But call me if anything comes up in the meantime.”
“I will. Thank you.”
As the doctor left, Lauren picked up her purse and rose. Devyndid too. And her sister stayed close while she set up the appointment. Closer yet after she tucked the cane under her arm instead of using it as they walked to the car.
Lauren shook her head—but kept her attention on the pavement while they traversed the parking lot. “I’m fine, Devyn. Steady as a rock. My brain is firing on all cylinders again too. You don’t have to hover.”
When there was no response, she looked over.
Her sister’s brow was wrinkled, and she seemed distracted. Like she’d been ever since rehearsal last night.
What was going on?
“Hey.” She stopped. “Are you with me?”
Devyn walked another couple of steps. Halted. Pivoted back. “What’s wrong?”
“I should ask you the same question. Who’s the one with brain fog now?”
Her tease didn’t elicit the hoped-for smile.
“Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“No kidding. Is there an issue with the show?”
“No. It’s coming along fine.” She motioned toward the car. “Let’s head home.” She continued toward the Focus without waiting for a response.
Lauren followed more slowly, debating her strategy as she slid into the passenger seat and stowed her cane.
Should she probe or back off?
Hard to know for sure. While they were beginning to repair their frayed relationship, it might be premature to push too hard.
But if there was a problem, it was possible Devyn could use a sounding board. Offering a sympathetic ear was the least she could do after all her sister had done for her over the past few weeks.
Worst case, Devyn would shut her down.
Best case?
They’d break down a few more of the barriers between them.
As Devyn put the car in gear and pointed it toward the parking lot exit, Lauren took the plunge. “Look, I know we haven’t been close in the past, but I hope that’s changing. You’ve been acting strange since you got home from rehearsal last night, so I assume there’s a connection. If you want to talk about it, I’m available.”
And now that she’d lobbed the ball into her sister’s court, she sat back—and waited.
Devyn gripped the wheel tighter, Lauren’s offer hanging in the air between them.
Apparently, the tizzy she was in—prompted by Isabel’s proclamation last night that Aaron was coming to rehearsal Sunday and planned to stay for a dance lesson afterward—was on display for all the world to see.
Or at least for her sister to see.
And three hours of intermittent sleep last night hadn’t helped clarify her thinking.
If she shared the cause of her distraction, though, Lauren would likely think she was crazy to be so captivated—and flustered—by a man who had no place in her world.
On the other hand, perhaps talking through her dilemma could help her sort out her—
