“So, you’re going to abandon your mom?” I ask. “While she’s recovering from hip surgery?”
A weary sigh escapes him. “I’ll ask Lara to keep an eye on her,” he says, and I lift a brow. He’s never mentioned a Lara before. Although, when would he have the chance in betweenall the talk about sports, breweries, and hiking trails of his beloved home state? Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that Carter has a significant other. Practically everybody at the company is married with kids.
It’s another reason why I don’t like talking about myself. Everybody will spend the first ten minutes of a meeting griping about their kid’s soccer team or anniversary plans with their spouses, and the only thing I have going on for me is the tub of ice cream I’m still working through.
“That’s really nice of her to do that for you,” I say, then peek over my shoulder when the door swings open. Bell freezes, then quietly shuffles to her bed with a small wave.
“Yeah,” he says absentmindedly. “You don’t have to stick around.”
“It’s fine,” I say, because it’s not like I have any other plan. Besides working through the tub of ice cream, which I’m saving for later this evening. “Again, I’m sorry?—”
“Don’t be,” he says. “I have to leave, but I’ll be back in an hour, Barbot.”
“Bar-what?” I ask, but he hops off the call before I can ask him what the hell did he call me. Staring at my laptop in equal parts confusion and shock, I mutter, “I hope you’re not this rude to Lara.”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I stare at Carter’s offline icon, and a heavy little ball of guilt forms in the very center of my chest. I would have laid off on all the comments made this entire week if I had known he was going through something.
“Based on how quiet you’ve been for a minute, I’m assuming the meeting’s over,” Bell chimes in. “Which is great, because I found a place near campus that’d be fantastic for us.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I emailed the agent, and she said she’ll give us a video tour tomorrow,” she says. “Since we can’t come in to look at the place.”
“I hope this is it,” I mutter, because with work, Betty’s wedding, my application under review, and the conference happening in less than two weeks? I’m starting to feel overwhelmed, to put it lightly. “I just want one less thing to deal with.”
“You shouldreallyconsider taking some time off,” she says, and she holds up a finger before I can respond. “I’m serious. I don’t think you’ve left this room in years. When was the last time you did anything besides work?”
“I went shopping with you last week,” I point out.
“To buy a wedding gift for Betty and Vincent,” she counters. “When was the last time you went out?” Her gaze lands on her fingers. “I know you became Work Barbie after you got dumped?—”
“Since when were you majoring in psych?” I deadpan, and my sister rolls her eyes. “And I’m just really dedicated to my job.”
“But what happened to your plan to settle down and have kids before thirty? Can’t really do that when you’re constantly inside.”
I lift a brow. “Do you think I can magically find someone and pop out children in the next seven months?”
“Miracles have been known to happen,” Bell replies, and we both fight our snickers. Then she sighs and levels my setup with a wry glance. “Look. Don’t tell Betty I said this, but she’s genuinely worried about you.”
What? “Because I’m not following my ridiculous life-plan?”
“Nah… It’s just… You’re constantly stressed out from work. You never leave the apartment—not really. Don’t even deny it, Barbie.”
I shoot her a dry look. Idogo outside, contrary to what she’s spouting.
“You’re always at home,” she continues. “And she might?—”
“Don’t tell me she’s thinking of pushing the wedding?—”
“Yeah. I know.” She sucks in a breath and winces. “I told her not to worry, but you know how she is.”
I do know. Betty has always been the worrier between the three of us. She overthinks everything and always puts everyone but herself first—especially her sisters. She’s the epitome of the eldest daughter syndrome.
“So,” she continues, “I may or may not have told her you already promised me you’re going to have a mini-vacation on your work trip.”
“Are you serious?”
“It won’t be hard. It’s not like you’ll spend your entire time working. You’ll be in South Carolina. There are plenty of things to do. You can hit up their beaches. Check out their lighthouse. Liberate their lobsters.”
