Page 75 of Empire of Ash
“I didn’t mean about Ella, Noel. I just mean in general.”
My brow furrows, jaw setting as I lean against the Range Rover.
“I’m busy.”
“You’re self-exiling,” he grunts. “As you have been, for the last seven damn years.”
I say nothing. The silence drags.
“Thanks for taking care of the Leo thing.”
He sighs. “As I said, any time.”
I frown. “Sorry, and how is Celeste?”
“She’s good, Noel. You know she’d love to see you sometime and catch up.”
I nod.
“And the twins?”
It took a couple of years of trying. But when Adrian and Celeste did finally get pregnant, it made up for the time and effort with a two-for-one surprise: Simone and Ronan, their twins.
“Growing,” he grunts. “And too goddamn quickly, at that. You know they’re starting at Oxford Hills Academy in the fall.”
“Christ,” I wince. “When did we get old?”
He chuckles, and we both go quiet.
“It’s good to talk like this, you know. We should do it more often.”
I nod.
“Speak to you soon, Adrian.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
I hang up. Then I get in the car, and I drive home. I shower and change into sweatpants and a t-shirt.
I slide into bed behind Ella, and I wrap my arms around her.
And then I sleep.
Soundly.
