Page 80 of Until Now

“That was kind of you.”

“Nice room you got, Pops,” Nick says, trying to steer the conversation. “How’d you get put here?”

“Not sure, but not gonna question it.”

“Until the bill comes.”

Jimmy shrugs and stares at me when he speaks again, “Said it’s been taken care of.” The flaking nail polish on my fingers becomes the most interesting thing I’ve seen all day. I didn’t want him to know what I had done, but I guess it’s pretty obvious. Yes, I told the hospital to move Jimmy into the private wing. I wanted him to be comfortable and the thought of him potentially having to share a room was unfathomable. Besides, what if the boys wanted to come and visit? They needed to be comfortable too. “I’m just grateful.”

Elizabeth clears her throat to get my attention. She raises her eyebrows in question — am I ready to go? Yes. I need to get out of here. A single nod springs her and Michaela from the couch.

“Well, we have to get going.” I reach across the bed to hug Jimmy tightly. “I have a bunch of work waiting for me. Call me if you need anything, big or small, I don’t care.” I instruct Alex the same as he engulfs me in a hug.

When I finally turn towards the door, Shey squirms under my glare. She tugs at the end of her dress, but it doesn’t go any further. We are nothing alike, that much is obvious. I wonder if she knows what happened in Savannah. I wonder if she even knows the truth about who I am.

When I meet Nick’s stare there are so many things swirling behind his eyes, so many things left unsaid. I wonder if he wishes we were alone like I do. He begins to say something, but Shey steps between us, “Hi! You must be the girl Nick has told me all about.” She extends her hand towards me. “I’m Shey.”

“Shey, don’t—”

“Davina,” I interrupt him. I don’t return her smile, but I do extend my hand.

“It’s so nice to meet you. I feel like I already know you.”

“I can’t say the same.” A tight smile spreads across my lips. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some things to take care of.”

She steps out of the way allowing me to pass, Elizabeth and Michaela follow.

Chapter Forty-Seven

The hostess leadsElizabeth and Eileen to my table, they order a glass of wine each as they wait for me to finish an email. The past week has been hell, why are there so many people who want to start projects all of the sudden? I shouldn’t complain, but I’m running out of hands to get work done. “Sorry, finishing notes from my last meeting.”

“Isn’t that Michaela’s job?” Elizabeth asks.

“She’s on site in Asheville. So, today, it’s my job.”

“We really need to get you a pause button.”

I stick my tongue out. “I didn’t work on vacation.”

“That’s a lie,” Eileen interjects.

“Fine, I didn’t workas muchon vacation,” I correct putting my computer away.

“Why don’t you hire another person to help?”

“I will, soon. I just need to get through this year.”

“If you’re seriously considering another office, you’re going to need to hire a few more people,” Elizabeth says, taking her wine from the waitress.

“It’s just finding the time to sit down and interview them.” I take the fresh glass of wine with a smile. “Anyway, where’s Kai? I’ve been trying to call him all day.”

“He’s with your dad, some luncheon in Charlotte with the board,” Eileen says. “Have you talked to him?”

“Daddy? No, not really. He’s still pretty mad.”

“He’ll get over it. I mean, how long did it take him to get over JJ?” Elizabeth asks.

“A while, but at least he talked to me back then.”

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