“Sounds like my mom. Especially ifit was you.”Scarlet laughs under her breathbefore turning serious. “It doesn’t bother Atlas that she wasn’t there?”
“Nah.” I kill the power. “He gets it and knows she loves him. She also sent a nice gift, so I’m sure that helps.”
“That makes sense.” She tips her head side-to-side.
I huff out a laugh. “Does it?”
“Your mom is still deeply grieving the loss of your dad, Sunshine. I know you said she likes to havefun— she waggles her brows—“but she loved him so deeply that the mere thought of going to someone’s wedding other than yours pains her.”
“I guess,” I grumble, hating the thought of my mom’s so-calledfun.
“Imean, clearly it works for her,” Scarlet says, unbuckling James from his car seat.“She looks great—healthy, vivacious, even if she is still sad.”
Igroan. “She looks like trouble, and I have a feeling the two of you together aregonnabedouble trouble. We were so worried about never letting her and your mom meet, itdidn'teven occur to methe kind of antics you two would get up to.”
I catch her gaze in therear viewmirror and she smiles mischievously.“Only time will tell, Ellis Wilder. Only time will tell.”
THIRTY-FOUR
SCARLET
Leavingthe house this morning for work was harder than ever before—and trust me, leaving Ellis Wilder’s bed is always achallenge. But with both his mom, who I officially adore, and James there?Yeah. I definitely regret nottakingoff.
Today’s also my first time driving myself to work since my car was vandalized, and while I don’t want to say I’m on edge, I’m notnoton edge either.
The only upside is Ellis has texted mecute pictures all morning of him and James.
The downside is,I’vealmost gotten caught on my phone twice, and while Dr. Snider is amazing to work for, she’s a stickler for the rules.Usually, I have no problem following them, but today… the struggle is real.
My phone pings yet again, andIcan’thelp butsmile when Itap the notification and findanother picture of Ellis and James. This timeit'sofJames sitting in thehigh chair, his face covered in what looks like spaghetti sauce, his chubby cheeks mushed up in a huge grin.
I giggle and immediately fire off a reply.
Me: Stop. What a cutie.
Sunshine: Wish you were here.
Me: I'm sorry. I should have taken off. *sad face emoji*
Sunshine:Iwasn'ttrying to guilt you. I just miss you. And James does, too. He keeps calling your name andwalking around the house looking for you.
My heart melts a little in my chest, but before I can reply,there’sa knock at the door, alerting me to the arrival of mynextpatient.
By the timemy lunch breakrolls around, I'm half tempted to drivehome to see them,but it would be pointless—half my lunch would beoverby the timeIgotthere, and I’d only get to visit for a few minutes before having to turn around and drive back.
So, a sandwich and a soda in the breakroom itis. ExceptClint stops me in the hall just outside of the door.“You ready?”heasks, spinning his keys around his index finger.
“Ready for what?” I ask, wondering if we made plans I forgot. He, Cara, and I get lunch pretty regularly, but there’s nothing in my calendar for today.
He looks at me like I should know what he's talking about. “Lunch. Cara said she was gonna tell you. She's meeting us there.”
“Oh. Hmmm.” I grab my phone and quickly scan through my texts, but there's nothing there. “No? She didn't tell me.”
He sighs.“She must have gotten busy.Sodo you just want to ride with me? She said something about having to grab a prescription or something first on the way,soshe left a little early.”
“Okay. Yeah, sure. Let's go. Um, what are we…what are we eating again?”
“Miss Fortune’s.” He pushes the bar on the exit door, holding it open for me.
