Page 65 of The Drummer's Heart

My heart filled with hope. “Well, it’s mutual.”

“But it’s been confusing,” she added.

“I think we can agree on that. You don’t feel like it’s okay to want me anymore.”

She shook her head. “I have nevernotwanted you, Atticus. Not a single second this entire time. But it’s stronger when I’m in your presence. Wanting you has been the worst torture I’ve ever experienced. But I can’t go backwards. I’ve worked so damn hard to get over you.”

“How’s that going, though?” I raised a brow. “Maybe trying so hard is having the opposite effect.”

Nicole’s phone rang, and she practically dove to answer it.

I listened as she spoke to someone. She kept nodding and jotting down a bunch of information.

After she hung up, I asked, “What’s going on?”

“They found someone for Mimi. She can start any time. I guess her previous client recently passed away. She lives here in town and would even be willing to do what Louise did, popping in and out during the day and sleeping here at night.”

“Wow. I’m surprised they found someone so soon.” My heart felt heavy. I wasn’t ready to leave her. And I wasn’t talking about Mimi. “This almost sounds too good to be true.”

“I know.”

“Well, she can’t just start,” I said quickly, feeling panic rise. “We have to meet her. She has to meet Mimi. I want your grandmother to like her.”Anything to extend our time here.

“Yeah, of course. They gave me her number and said we can contact her to arrange that.”

“Okay, uh, I guess this is good news.” I sighed. “Will you go back to the city right away if it turns out she’s a good fit?”

“Yeah. That was always the plan, right?”

I nodded.

“You gonna stay in town or go straight back to L.A.?”

“I’ll spend a couple more days with my sister, but eventually I have to get back to L.A. Recording is gonna start soon.”

“That’s right.” Nicole slipped her hands into her pockets.

I heard rustling from down the hall. “She’s up,” I said, gesturing toward Mimi’s room. “Should we give her a heads up about this woman?”

“Might as well.”

We walked in together and Nicole sat by the bedside. “Mimi, we have great news.”

Her eyes fluttered fully open. “Oh?”

“The agency found a nice lady who’s local to work with you. She can do the same type of schedule as Louise did and sleep here overnight.”

“Who has that kind of time?”

I laughed. “Well, it’s not like she’d be doing it for free.”

“Who is this person?”

“Her name is Fiona,” Nicole said. “I’m gonna give her a call to come by and meet you.”

I patted Mimi’s leg. “If you don’t get a good feeling, you let me know. I’ll get you someone else you like better.”

“Don’t promise anything you can’t deliver,” Nicole warned.

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