“I said it was nice meeting her,” he mutters. “And I smiled like a damn idiot before leaving. Haven’t stopped thinking about it since.”
Mom lets out a softaww, but Dad just shakes his head like he’s seen this exact movie play out before.
“So just go back. Ask for her number,” I suggest, like it’s obvious.
“I know.” Mason sighs. “I just have to catch her after school…wait for her to walk out to the parking lot, like some creeper.”
I snort. “Hey, some girls like that kind of effort.”
He looks at me, deadpan. “Stalking?”
“Not stalking,” I say, grinning. “Strategic timing. Big difference.”
He groans and drops his head back against the couch. “Yeah, well, let’s just hope I don’t get reported to my sergeant.”
“If she’s for you,” Dad starts, “she’ll appreciate it. You show effort? Respect? That matters. Girls remember that.”
“Yeah?” he asks, like he’s still not sure.
“Give it a shot,” Mom insists.
Mason sighs again, but it’s lighter this time. “Alright. I’m going back Monday.”
“There you go.” I nudge his shoulder and he stands, checking his phone.
“Alright. Yeah. I gotta go home; I go in at five,” he says and leaves.
The door clicks shut and the three of us exchange a knowing look.
“Two dates.” Dad shakes his head. “That’s all it’ll take before he’s telling her he loves her.”
Mom and I laugh because, honestly, he’s probably right.
Chapter 34
Cody
The truck’s halfway loaded for tomorrow. I’ve got decoys stacked, blind bags zipped, and the checklist in my head mostly checked when my phone rings.
Unknown number.
I almost let it go. Probably a telemarketer. But something in my gut says to answer it.
“Yeah?”
“Hi, is this Cody Jennings?” the woman asks.
“Yeah.”
“This is Michelle from Walter’s Pediatrics. You were listed as a trusted party on file, and I’m calling to check in on Karissa.”
My entire body stills. “Karissa? You mean Emma?”
“No, Karissa. Emma was fine, great actually, but Karissa filled out a routine postpartum depression screening, which is a standard practice, and her score was high. Concerningly high.”
I glance around me. Everything’s still but it feels like the Earth just tilted sideways.
“She didn’t say anything about that. She told me everything went fine,” I say.
