Page 139 of Mistaken Intention

“I don’t remember Ella yet, but I imagine there’s an enormous difference between sharing this place with my sister and being here with Josie.” I look down at her again and, although she’s still holding my hand, I can sense her discomfort.

“I’m more than familiar with Ella,” Hunter says, “and you’re dead right.” We both laugh, although I’m aware of Josie’s uneasiness. I think Hunter is too. He gives me an odd look, his eyes dropping to her. “Shall I fix us some coffee?”

“Sure.”

He wanders to the other end of the room, into the kitchen area, which has white cabinets and granite countertops, and I turn toward Josie, knowing I need to say something, but scared I’ll say the wrong thing and make it all worse… if that were possible.

“Is this bringing back any memories?” she asks, saving me the trouble of starting the conversation.

“No.”

Hunter’s phone rings, but we both ignore him as he pulls it from his pocket, speaking in muffled tones.

“Does it feel like your kind of place?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure what that is. The color scheme feels similar, but it’s not very personal. Still, I guess if I didn’t spend much time here…” I step in front of her, cupping her face in my hands and she gasps, looking up into my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Don’t bullshit me. You’re nervous. I can feel it. I just don’t know why. Surely you know you’re safe with me.”

“Of course I do.”

“Then why…?”

“I feel like you’ve brought me here to talk.”

“I have.”

“But I don’t know what to say.”

I smile, resting my forehead against hers. “You don’t have to say anything.”

“Then what are we doing here?”

“We had to go somewhere, Josie. We couldn’t stay at the hospital…”

“Asshole.” We both turn at the sound of Hunter’s raised voice, and he glances over, shaking his head and stepping toward us. “Sorry,” he says, looking at Josie, but she shakes her head.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He holds up his phone, like it’s an exhibit. “That was Doctor Sweeney.”

I feel Josie tense beside me. She even takes a half step back and I look down. Her eyes have widened, her skin paling as she looks at my brother. He seems to have noticed her reaction, too, and moves a little closer.

“What did he want?” I ask and Hunter looks back at me again.

“He called to apologize.”

“What the hell for?”

“To use his words, for Josie’s lack of professionalism.” He looks pained, but that doesn’t stop Josie from flinching and I let go of her hand, putting my arm around her. She’s so stiff, I can’t mold my body to hers, but I’m not giving up. I keep a firm grip on her, regardless.

“Are you serious?”

“Completely. He was angry because Josie had walked out on you.”

I turn to Josie. “You told him?”

---