Page 71 of The I Do Over

ChapterTwelve

“It’s funny how forever never sees to last.”

Unknown

“Iam completely gobsmacked!”

“That makes two of us.”

“I can’t believe he just bailed on you like that. Bloody mongrel, that’s what he is.”

Maddie stared at Babette, mildly confused. “I have so much going on in my brain. I can’t figure out Australian slang at the same time.”

“It means he’s kind of a dick,” Babette said fiercely. “I’d love to get my hands on him and just…”

“Yeah, believe me. I get it and you’re not alone.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“There’s nothing I can do,” she said sadly. “I spent most of the weekend sick in bed and then sleeping.”

“I thought you had food poisoning?”

“I did.”

“That should have been over after you vomited the first time. Second, tops.” She eyed Maddie suspiciously. “You sure you don’t have a virus?” Taking a giant step back, she added, “Maybe you should go home. You know, until you feel better.”

“I don’t need to go home! I’m fine!”

“Okay, okay. No need to get your knickers in a bunch.”

“English, Babette. I’m begging you.”

Grinning, her assistant walked over to her desk and sat down. “You ask me, I think you need to get away for a few days all on your own. Don’t go to Raleigh and don’t go to your mum’s. Just get away and regroup.” Turning to her computer, she typed something in. “A-ha! You could totally pull it off this week. It’s a light week to begin with and Jenna was telling me how she was looking for some extra clients, so maybe she can cover for you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Where would I even go?”

“Personally, I’d rent a cabin in the mountains and bring a ton of books and just completely unplug from the world.” She sighed happily. “There is something to be said about going off the grid for a few days. I think it would do you a world of good.”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

“I’ll tell you what, Stephen Knight is here for his appointment,” Babette said. “While you work with him, I’ll pull up some options for you—cabins, spas, resorts, as much as I can find. Then you can go through them and make a decision.”

“It just seems…”

“Like the perfect solution?” she said hopefully. “Why, yes! I agree! Now go help Mr. Knight and we’ll reconvene in an hour. Deal?”

There was no arguing with Babette when she got an idea in her head, so all Maddie could do was nod and start Stephen on the treadmill.

By the end of his appointment, Maddie wasn’t much closer to deciding if she was going to take Babette’s advice or not, but she was considering it. In her office, she sat down at her computer and found a half dozen emails with links to different places to stay all around the state of Virginia. She had just clicked on an Airbnb in the mountains when her phone dinged with an incoming text.

Dad: Change of plans. Heading back to Maine. Sorry we didn’t get to spend any time together. Hope your weekend was worth it.

Ugh…

In that moment, she sort of understood how Knox felt about never wanting to see her father again because more and more lately, Maddie felt the same. But because she was a good daughter, she responded as if he didn’t just insult her.

Maddie: Have a safe flight home!

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