What's Left of Us
Page 23

I can only manage an eye roll.
“Oh, come on. Give up the goods, Dre,” she adds.
Ignoring her, I get comfortable at the counter and Jean eventually joins me. We sprinkle the last of the cinnamon and sugar on top of the dumplings before Genna puts them in the oven.
Hannah starts crying. Genna wipes her hands and goes to get her.
“You going to tell me what’s going on with you and Kevin?” I ask now that we’re alone.
Jean lets out a sad sigh and her shoulders slump a little.
“He wants me to leave Minneapolis and move here—or, rather, move in with him.”
“And this is a problem why?”
“Because he doesn’t understand that I have a job—one that I love, mind you—and I can’t just pick up and leave for Rochester. What would I do here?”
I take a sip of Genna’s water that looks lonely sitting on the counter. I’m not one to give relationship advice.
“The same thing you’re doing now,” Genna states, walking back into the kitchen with Hannah in her arms.
“Sure, easy for you to say. Do you know how hard it is to find a job in my field?”
“Um, no I don’t, considering I work with kids and food, not fashion.” Genna laughs.
“Have you looked to see what’s out there? This is a big city. You may be surprised at what you find,” I add. It would be nice to have her close to me. “Besides, you’re here now on business.”
“Yes, but what I’m doing here isn’t really business. It’s talking to a few local boutiques about expanding and marketing. I was just helping out because it got me to come back and visit. And, no, I haven’t looked for jobs. I told him he was crazy, and that I love him, but I love my career more,” she huffs.
“Jean!”
“Oh, come on. I said it nicer than that.”
Jean isn’t one to get serious. She loves three things in life: fashion, men, and sex. Honestly, I’m surprised she’s been with Kevin this long. Well, I’m sure I can guess why, but I’d rather not picture that part of his body. Regardless, I love that she’s happy in her weird, twisted world.
“I can’t believe you said that to him.” I shake my head in disbelief.
“In the words of Brooke Davis ‘clothes over bros.’”
I look at her with confusion. “Who is Brooke Davis?”
“One Tree Hill.” Her tone makes me think I should know what that is. “On the CW? Oh, come on! You’ve never watched that show?”
Genna and I look at each other and shake our heads. Laughing, I say, “No.”
“It’s on Netflix. Watch it.” It’s an order, not a request.
Amy comes back as the oven starts beeping and I jump up to get the trays, but Genna stops me. “I’ll finish up if you can hold her.” She hands me my sweet little niece and I’m settling back in at the counter the quiet is interrupted by loud, deep voices in the entryway. The boys.
Kevin walks in first. He gives me a small nod before walking over to Jean. She gives him a big welcoming hug and kiss. I’ve never questioned Kevin’s feelings for my best friend. He treats her right, makes her smile, and loves her unconditionally. I wish she’d get over her own fear of commitment.
Jason comes over and takes Hannah from me. “How’s my little girl this afternoon?”
“I’m good. Oh, you meant that little girl,” Genna jokes.
When Parker enters our eyes find each other immediately. “Hello, handsome. You got out early. How’d you manage that one?” He’s on call, so I was expecting him to show up a little late.
He pulls me close, kissing my temple. “It pays to be the boss.”
“How are you?”
“Better now that I’m here. Although, I’d much rather be at home collecting on this bet.”
I chuckle against his shoulder. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” he says, his breath ghosting my ear. Leaning down, he nibbles at my earlobe. “I even picked up some whipped cream on the way over.”
I exhale quickly. “Well, then …” Moving out of his grasp, I look at his face. “Let’s make this an early night?”
“You’ve read my mind.”
Brandon comes in about ten minutes later with Ethan in his arms.
Genna sits us down and she brings over the food. As she introduces each dish, she explains that she wants us to rate them on presentation and taste. I almost feel like I’m a judge on Iron Chef.
The room smells amazing, and the aroma gets stronger with each dish she puts in front of me. Over the next hour, we sample over a dozen different dishes. They’re so good I pray she has more for us to take home.
When I excuse myself to go to the bathroom I check my phone for the first time since texting with Parker. I have two missed calls from Circle of Life and one voicemail. It’s from Polly, asking for me to call her back.
I look at the time. Just after 5:30. I debate calling back this late, unsure if the clinic is still open, but decide to try anyway, redialing as I walk into the living room.
“Circle of Life, this is Heather, how can I help you?”
“Hi, my name is Aundrea Jackson. I’m returning Polly’s call if she’s still available?”
“Let me see if she’s still here. Can you hold a minute?”
“Yes.” I hope she is. It will drive me crazy wondering what it was about.” I wonder if we missed something on the paperwork?