Her face drops, but she masks it quickly. “Too bad.” She pulls me toward the front door, bends down, and puts on my shoes. I have no strength to fight back, so I let her. But why the hell is she being so bloody bossy?
Nora, at times, can be rough around the edges with her feisty attitude, but she’s taking it to a new extreme, and if I weren’t a walking zombie, I’d say something.
Today though, I’m useless.
She walks me out, opens the car door, and buckles me in, then swiftly walks around to the driver’s seat.
I yawn and rub my eyes. “God, couldn’t you give me a second to drink some water? I feel like I’m still sleeping.”
She starts the engine and drives off, ignoring me.
The second we’re out of view from the house, her whole demeanor softens and she takes my hand in hers. “I’m so sorry for being forceful back there, Belle. It was killing me inside to push you around like that when I know you’re hurting, but I knew it was the only way to get you out. How are you?”
I look down at my mismatched outfit. “Not great. I’m exhausted.”
She squeezes my hand then rubs small comforting circles along my skin. “I think one day around us will help. You’re so tired because you’re oversleeping, your body is going into shock. It’s used to you being on the go at all times.”
Maybe… Who knows?
“Who will be at Sadie’s, Nora? I’m not fit to be around people.”
“It’s just the three of us. You’ve been worrying us by not answering, especially Sadie.”
My heart plummets at the idea of hurting anyone else, and I know my sensitive Sadie has probably been just as distraught as me and Jack.
She pulls up in front of Sadie’s house. “Why didn’t we just walk?”
She raises an accusatory brow. “You would have walked when I could barely get you in the car?”
“Fair point.”
The front door whips open and Sadie’s standing there with a giant smile stretched across the width of her face. “Hello, welcome to the Taylor residence.”
“Oh my God, you’re an eejit.” Nora laughs.
Sadie bounces on her feet. “I know, and I don’t even care how corny I am. I’m telling everyone I see on the street that I’m a married woman now.”
“She’s not lying. It’s fucking embarrassing,” Wills says as he walks out with the girls.
“Daddy!” Charlie screams, making Chloe giggle in Wills’s arms.
“Sorry, princess. I’ll put money in the jar.”
“You should do it twice since you said itandyelled the bad word.” She rests her hand on her hip, popping it out to one side.
So much attitude.
Where she comes up with this stuff is beyond me.
When she spots me, she shrieks and drops everything she’s holding to run into my waiting arms.
“Auntie Belle.” She hugs my neck tight. “Where have you been? I’ve missed you.”
I squeeze her against my chest and lift my eyes to see Sadie’s tear-filled ones match mine. “I’m sorry, love. Auntie Belle wasn’t feeling well. I had to stay away this week.”
She pulls back to cup my cheek before planting a wet kiss. “I’m happy you’re allllll better now. Guess where I’m going?” She eagerly widens her eyes.
“Where are you going?”
