Page 39 of Two Is Better Than One

"Oh, she is, sweetheart, thank you."

She was about to say something more, but I reluctantly picked up the phone and held it to my ear. My expression was regretful enough that she smiled and took the hint and waved at me as she stepped back, retreating out of my shade and onto the sunny grassy area near me.

"Hello," I said, quietly into my phone.

"How are you?" AJ said.

"I should be asking you that," I said.

"I'm better… getting there. I went to work a few hours this morning, and that took it out of me, so I was taking a nap when you called."

"Why did you go to work?" I said. "I can't believe you did that. Yesterday, you were in bed with an IV."

"I know, but Michael really needs me this time of year, and I hated to call in again. I only went in for a few hours, and part of it was to sweat. I felt like I needed to do that. I feel a lot better after doing that and then taking a nap, actually. I might even go eat some food in a minute."

"Oh, wow. That's amazing. I'm so happy to hear it. I had no idea you went to work, though."

"Mostly to sweat, like I said. I do that when I get sick."

"Does it work? I asked.

"Not every time. Sometimes you're just sick and there's nothing you can do about it. But sometimes I feel like it does help to sweat. It helped me today. What are you doing? Are you on set with your sister?"

"Yes. They're all by the pool. I came over here, in the yard, to read."

"I was wondering if you got that book done that you were reading while I slept yesterday."

"Oh, that one, yeah, I finished it last night. This is a new one. This one is set in Cuba."

"Yesterday you were in Alaska."

"I know," I said. "Cuba feels much more authentic, seeing as how I'm currently sitting under a cluster of palms in a t-shirt in February."

"I want you sitting next to me in your t-shirt in February," he said.

"Do you really?" I asked, looking around for a stray Uber driver.

"Yes. But I know you can't. I was supposed to go fishing with Caleb this afternoon, but I don't think my stomach's ready for a boat."

"My stomach's rarely ready for a boat," I said.

AJ already knew I was likely to get seasick, so he laughed when I said that.

"Are you at your uncle's?" I asked.

"Yes. He's not in town, and Casey is, so I figured if I'm stuck on the couch, I'll do it at Uncle Max's and stay out of Casey's way."

"Are you on the couch?"

"Yes. I'm not stuck, technically. I'm choosing to be here, but I'm happy with the amount of work I did today. I could get off the couch, but I probably won't, honestly."

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I'm working again. Just starting with a few hours and then seeing how it goes. I'm sure I'll be good for more than that by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's Casey's last day working with my sister."

"Oh, yeah. London. I'm just remembering basic stuff like that. I was in a haze all day yesterday."

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