Page 93 of Hot Shot

“Let me know how it goes.” Anna follows us out of her office and we walk through the gallery. “Like I said, I can put out feelers.”

Carrie calls her mom and learns she is in fact home. “Can Marco and I stop by? We have something to talk to you about.”

This is apparently agreeable to Mrs. Garner and Carrie ends the call. “Okay, let’s go.”

As we drive the short distance from the gallery to the Garner home, Carrie scrolls through emails on her phone. “Oh my God. This is crazy.”

I glance at her. “What?”

“I’m getting all kinds of requests from famous people to take pictures of their kids.”

“Like who?”

She names a few movie stars and a country music singer.

“Holy shit.”

“I know! Ever since I did that shoot for Jessica Farris. This is crazy!” She starts tapping in a response, muttering, “How am I supposed to do all this when I’m leaving in two weeks?”

You could stay.

My jaw tight, we pull into the driveway of Carrie’s parents’ home. Carrie leads me to the front door, which she opens and steps in. “Hello! We’re here.”

Mrs. Garner hurries from the kitchen. “Hi!” She grabs Carrie in a big hug. Carrie turns surprised eyes on me, who shrugs. Carrie’s family love each other but they aren’t ones to hug a lot. “Your dad’s on his way home! He was just having coffee with some friends.”

“Why’s he coming home?” Carrie frowns, stepping back and smoothing her hair.

“To hear your news!”

“We just needed to talk toyou,Mom. It’s about an idea Marco and I have been working on.”

Mrs. Garner’s mouth falls open and her eyes dim. “Oh. What kind of idea?”

“What did you think we wanted to talk to you about?”

“I thought . . . maybe you decided not to go to Spain. That you and Marco . . . had news. You know.” She drops her head briefly. “Sorry. I guess I jumped to a wrong conclusion.”

My gut clenches. She’d thought . . . shit.

I meet Carrie’s eyes and see the same confused expression.

“I thought you were happy I’m going to Spain,” Carrie says slowly to her mom.

“Well, of course I am. We’re so proud of you for getting that scholarship. But it’s far away, and nine months is a long time and . . .” She hesitated. “Well, we’re going to miss you.”

Carrie gapes at her mom. “Really?”

My chest aches. How can she not realize how important she is to her family? Toeveryoneshe comes in contact with. Hayden is already depressed and Carrie hasn’t even left yet. And me . . . well, every day that passes and brings us closer to the day she’s going to get on that plane makes my heart shrink.

“Of course, really,” her mother says. “Maybe we don’t say it enough in this family, but we love you, sweetheart.”

Carrie blinks, her eyes glossy. “I love you too, Mom,” she whispers. She touches her fingertips to one eye and sucks in a shaky breath. “Nine months isn’t that long.”

“I suppose it isn’t. And it will be an amazing experience for you.” Mrs. Garner glances at me. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Let’s sit.”

“Of course.” Mrs. Garner walks into the living room and we sit on the sofa and loveseat.

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