Vindicate (Recovered Innocence #1)(32)
“Do they visit him?”
“Never. I’m the only one. ‘His good friend’ Dylan visited a couple of times. Then I guess he moved on. Everybody’s moved on.”
I give her hand a squeeze. “Everyone except you.”
“Everyone except me.” She pulls her hand from mine, gathers her papers together, and rises. “I’m stuck, and now I guess you’re stuck with me.”
“Beau’s lucky to have you and I’m glad to be stuck with you.” She gives me a look like she doesn’t believe me. “No, really. There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with. Wait. That didn’t come out right.”
Her laugh does something funny to the pit of my stomach. “Thank you.” She takes a quick peek at the hallway, then leans down and gives me a kiss.
It’s only the second time she’s kissed me. She’s gone before I can pull her back down for another one.
I head out to follow her and practically run into Savannah. “Oh, hey, sorry.”
She bumps my shoulder as she passes me to go into the conference room. “Yeah, right.”
This is as good a time as any to talk to her. I close the door. “Look, I know I’ve been an * to you and I’m sorry for it, but when are you going to get over it?”
She slams a folder down on the table. “I am over it.”
“You don’t look or act like you are.”
She shifts her posture, propping a hand on her hip. “Everything isn’t always about you, you know. Shittier things have happened to me than hooking up with you. Not many, but a few.”
Ouch. “So you’re just in a bad mood in general? It has nothing to do with Cora or me?”
She snorts. “Contrary to what you seem to believe, the world does not revolve around you and that little bitch whose pants you’re trying to get into. Word of advice? Get some new moves.”
“So we’re cool?”
“Cool isn’t the word I’d use, but rest assured I don’t give a shit what you do or don’t do.” She puts a pen at each person’s place. “Or I should say who you do or don’t do.”
I start to leave, then turn back. “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?”
She doesn’t answer for a moment. It’s like she’s been put on pause. “Unless you can cure cancer, no.” She goes back to laying out the materials for Dad’s meeting.
I’m debating what to say or do next when I hear a sniff. Oh, damn. She’s crying. She turns to the window and tries to hide that she’s swiping at tears. I don’t know what to do. I’m shit when it comes to stuff like this. My instinct is to leave and let her be, but it seems my feet don’t agree.
I put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
She turns in to my chest and lets loose, gripping fists of my shirt and sobbing. Fuuuuuuck. I awkwardly put my arms around her and pat her back. The door opens behind us. I don’t even have to turn around to know who it is. Fucking shit, f*ck, f*ck.
Cora.
The door closes again, harder than normal. Goddamn it. I want to pry Savannah’s fingers off me and run after Cora.
Instead, I ask, “Who has cancer?”
“My m-m-mom. Stage four.”
I don’t know anything about cancer except that the higher the number, the worse it is. “I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to say. She’s still holding on to me, so I put my arms around her for real and hold her. I am an ass for thinking her bad mood was all about me. “I’m sorry,” I say again, for an entirely different reason.
She knocks my chest with her fist. “Stop saying that. You make me sound pitiful.”
“You’re not pitiful.”
She pulls away a little and gives me a wobbly smile. “And you’re not a total *.”
“Thanks.” I smile at her. “I think.”
“I should get back to work.” She steps out of my hold and swipes at her tears, wiping her hands off on her pants.
“Is there anything we can do?” I grab a box of tissues and hand it to her. “Does my dad know?”
She pulls out a wad and blots her face. “No, I haven’t really told anybody. When I try to, I just start crying.”
“Do you want me to tell him?”
“Yeah, could you? I have to go to the doctor with her next week. I don’t want to have to explain. But just him. I don’t want everybody in the office looking at me and feeling sorry for me.”
“Sure.” I back toward the door. “Will do.”
“Thanks for, you know…” She motions with the tissues.
“Sure. Any time. I really am sorry about your mom.”
“I know. Thanks.”
I give her a half-wave and go off to find Cora, hoping I’m not totally screwed.
Chapter 15
Cora
I’m not jealous. I’m not. It’s not like there’s anything going on between Leo and me. I mean, there is or there was, but it’s not like we’re exclusive. I don’t know what we are exactly. Okay, no. That’s bullshit. There is something between us. I just don’t know what it is or—more importantly—what it is to Leo. I’m not even sure I know what it is, so how can I expect him to know or to act like he knows? Ugh.