Page 73 of Holiday Hire

"Right." I pull my phone out of my pocket, then answer, "Hello."

Sebastian booms from the other end of the line, "Ace has a fever. Are you coming back soon?"

My gut drops. "On my way." I put my gun in the side compartment and then shift the ATV into gear with a wave of disappointment soaring through me.

12

Phoebe

The full moon illuminates the path through the trees. Alexander races home, winding around the trail with ease, occasionally warning, "Hold on," while we fly over bumps.

My pulse never calms, and the disappointment won't fade as an argument plays out in my head.

I wanted him to kiss me.

No, I didn't. I'm still with Lance.

Am I?

Alexander's my boss.

So what?

It's wrong.

Alexander drives out of the woods, through the yard, and parks the ATV next to the porch.

We jump out and hurry inside.

Sebastian grimaces. His shirt's wet. He sloughs something gross-looking off his chest and into the wastebasket.

"Is that what I think it is?" Alexander asks.

Sebastian wrinkles his nose. "Kid's got a mean projectile."

Alexander groans. "Yeah, he always has." He rushes past Sebastian toward the bathroom.

Georgia stands near the door, declaring, "He wouldn't let me in after he threw up. He's in the bathtub, but he says I can't see him naked." A tiny look of amusement lights her face.

"Thanks, Georgia," Alexander says and opens the door. "Hey, buddy. What's going on?"

Sebastian whines, "Georgia, can you come here and try to get this off of me before I get sick?"

She glances at me, bites on her smile, and stifles a giggle. She moves toward him.

I fret, "Why did he get sick? He seemed fine all day."

Sebastian shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe he ate too much. But I'm the one you should worry about. Georgia, please!" He holds out the towel, turns his face away, and makes a disgusted noise.

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Geez, Sebastian. When did you become the drama queen? You're not going to die from this."

I can't help myself and put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from snickering.

He arches his eyebrows at me. "You find this funny, Phoebe?"

"Sorry. It's not funny that Ace is sick, but, well..."

"There's nothing funny about this." He scrunches his face again.

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