Page 58 of Heartless

“Even more reason why you should grab a bite to eat with me now.”

“Well, when you put it like that, I can’t turn down that offer, especially since I still have my job after giving you a piece of my mind,” she giggles.

“Barely,” I tease back. “I’ll pay for lunch as my way of apology. How about that?”

“Perfect! Give me a second to take my laptop and things back to my room.”

“Okay. Meet me downstairs in the lobby.”

“See you in ten?”

“Make it five,” I correct.

“Okay, sir,” she says, mockingly saluting me.

I head to my suite and put my items away, only taking my phone. After I leave my room I head to the elevators and dial Meadow on my way down.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” she says in a tired voice.

“You busy?” I ask.

“No.”

“Have you been doing okay? Feeling safe?”

“I’m okay, I guess. I just got up.”

Frowning, I look at my watch. “MJ, it’s a little after two. You took a nap?”

I can hear her talking through her yawn. “No. I’ve just...I don’t know, I’m tired. I’ve been sleeping all day. Might be coming down with something.”

“Why don’t you make an appointment to see your doctor?”

“No, Onyx. I’ll be fine. I just need to take some vitamins, drink some juice, and eat some soup. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you going to visit your parents today still?”

“No, I’ll probably go this weekend.”

“You’ve been saying that for the last four weeks, MJ. You haven’t seen your parents in a month. They’re going to know something’s wrong soon,” I say, stepping off the elevator and into the lobby.

I see Sharla standing by the restaurant doors, looking in my direction. She smiles brightly at me, waves happily, and walks toward me.

I give her a slight head nod and a smile that’s barely there.

“...anyway.”

“What was that? I didn’t catch it.”

“I said that my parents are about to go on a cruise, so I doubt they’ll be missing me anyway.”

“Well, go see them before they leave.”

“I’ll go tomorrow.”

“All right, MJ. Get out of the house today. Do something to make yourself feel better. Maybe shopping?” I ask hopefully.

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