Page 42 of Forgot to Tell You Something

Her phone rings, cutting into our conversation. “I have to take this. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Tally—”

“I said,excuse me.” She points at the door, and I have no choice but to abide by her wishes.

Just like that, the door closes, and I’m stuck standing on the wrong side of it. I’m locked out of Tally’s life and heart, and I don’t know when she’ll let me back in. Even worse is the idea that she won’t ever consider the possibility.

I can’t even blame her. She’s hurt and angry because of me.

“One hell of a first day. You okay?” Stefani inquires, giving me a gentle jab in the ribs.

“I save lives. I’m good at it. I know my shit. I’ve had some really tricky cases, but I always believed I could power through them.” I put my hand against the door, willing Tally to feel me. “I feel completely powerless right now.”

The door swings open, startling us both. Tally stands on the other side of the threshold, her eyes brimming with tears. Her gaze swings between the two of us before settling on Stefani. “I have to leave for the day.”

“Lu, are you okay?”

She shakes her head, and I see her fighting back the sobs.

Jesus, please don’t tell me I wounded her this deeply. I’ll never forgive myself.

She grabs her friend into a quick hug. “I’ll call you later, Stef.”

“Tally, Darlin, what’s going on?” I move to embrace her, but she holds up her hand, dismissing my concerns—and me.

Without another word, she hurries down the hallway, disappearing into the elevator.

* * *

Ipray there isn’t a test on what I learned today. Correction, what Ishouldhave learned. I muddle through the remainder of the afternoon, images of Tally running from me burned into my brain.

I meet with the realtor after work, leaving an earnest money deposit on the condo. Tally’s choice won out, of course, but it isn’t just a ploy to win back her love. It really is the nicest of the four, although it doesn’t hurt that there’s a rooftop garden for Hecate.

My phone rings, but it isn’t my tiny vixen. Damn.“Hey, Stefani.”

“Hi, there. I wanted to give you an update.”

“You spoke to Tally?”

“I did. She’s furious with you, but right now, Lu has bigger problems.”

“What in the world is going on? Hang on, Stefani.” I set down the phone and sign a final document for the realtor before heading to my car.

“If I’m interrupting, you can call me back.”

“No, I’m just finishing up with the realtor. I bought a condo. Tally’s favorite.”

“Congratulations.”

“Hold off on any celebrating until she agrees to live with me.” I shake my head. The condo is not the damn issue. “Is Tally okay?”

“Her father took a turn for the worse. That’s why she left in such a hurry this afternoon.”

My heart smashes to the ground. “I didn’t know he was sick.”

“Mr. Knowles has dementia. Tally took care of him for several years, but then his condition worsened. She pays for his treatment in a memory care facility.”

I know the price of those facilities—thousands of dollars per month. That explains her modest apartment and beat-up car. “What happened to him?”

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