In a Book Club Far Away(30)

Right then, as Regina discussed numbers with Alexis, both agreed that the business was in a dire state. There were no optimistic words or encouragement as when they’d shared their first-year anniversary. Nor did Regina sound like a feisty business owner, fighting for her dream, as she had during their second-year anniversary.

This time, Regina expressed the inevitable. “I think it’s time to start formulating an exit strategy.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It never has been your fault. In fact, you’ve helped me keep afloat. But unless a miracle happens in the next six months, we’re looking at this same fate. It’s me that’s sorry. Can you give me time to get back to Georgia so I can think of next steps?”

“You sound like we’re breaking up.”

“I hope we’re not,” Regina said.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Silence descended, and despite the plate of pancit that had been calling her name, Regina’s appetite disappeared.

“Well, how are things over there?” Alexis asked, finally breaking the moment.

“Fine.” Regina heaved out a breath. “Just keeping Adelaide’s kiddo happy while she’s in surgery. I bought some ingredients with Henry yesterday to cook up some food, but I think I’m going to need a full-on shopping trip.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa there, little mama. Henry? You didn’t text me anything about Henry.” In a muffled voice, she added, “Yes, Lola, that’s what she said; she met Henry!”

Her mother’s voice came loud and firm through the phone. She must’ve grabbed it from Alexis. “So is he hot?”

“Mother!” Regina’s cheeks burned. This was the reason why she hadn’t told either of these women a thing about their meetup. They were on her like white on rice. “I’m not going to do this with you.”

“Did you hold hands?”

In the background, she heard Alexis cackle.

“I’m going to hang up now!”

“Okay, iha. Remember, the red lipstick looks best on you. But make sure you dab a little powder on your lips, because when you kiss him…”

That was it, she couldn’t do it. She hung up.

Seconds later, a text came in from her mother. It was a picture of her and Alexis pretending to kiss the book Henry sent her.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sophie




The sun had set by the time Sophie pulled up at Adelaide’s townhome. The wind whipped her hair sideways as she assisted Adelaide out of the back seat, and they both took slow and sure steps up the sidewalk, the stairs, and through the door Regina was holding open.

“Hey, how did it go? How are you, Ad?” Regina asked, though she looked at Sophie for the answers. Their friend might have been awake and walking, but Adelaide was far from well. Her usual tidy hair had a knot in the back that Sophie wouldn’t be able to untangle without a good brushing. Her skin had a dull sheen, a true sign of dehydration, and her hand hovered protectively over her belly.

“Surgery went well.” Sophie grunted while guiding Adelaide to the love seat in the living room, then gently lowering her. “But recovery was a bit tough. She vomited and is still nauseous, though she’s finally able to tolerate some fluids. Her pain level is pretty high.”

“Oh.”

“We’re going to have to keep a close eye on her.” She looked down at Adelaide. “Do you want to lie down here, or upstairs in your room? What do you think, mama?”

“Here, please,” Adelaide said. They were the first words she’d uttered since she left the hospital. Her voice was hoarse and strangled. “Genevieve?” She began to lie down.

“She’s sleeping now, honey,” Regina said, though she turned halfway toward the kitchen. “I can bring her in, though, if you—”

“No, I don’t want to wake her. Can you give me my phone? I promised Matt I would call as soon as I got home.”

Sophie grabbed Adelaide’s phone from her purse. “Let me guess what the code is…”

“Your birthday,” Regina said at the same time as Sophie.

“Don’t pick on me!” Adelaide raised a finger in a humorous warning before pressing on the screen. “Please, Regina, can I have an ice cream sundae and a root beer float?”

“I can whip that up. And how about a chocolate cake to go?” Regina countered, grinning.

“With buttercream frosting,” she mumbled, her phone against her ear.

“Well, at least we know you’re feeling less nauseous.” Sophie made quick work of tucking Adelaide in with a quilt that had been rolled up in a basket next to the sofa. And as soon as Adelaide’s head hit the decorative gingham pillow, her eyes shut.

“That is going to be a short conversation.” Sophie raised her eyes to Regina, noticing that she was wearing one of Adelaide’s vintage aprons. Her nose picked up the scent of something cooking in the kitchen. Then, her traitorous stomach growled.

Despite having eaten a hefty breakfast and a solid lunch at the hospital dining facility, her tummy was screaming for attention. It had been a while since Sophie’d nursed an adult. All of her patients were children, most often in the care of their parents. Earlier, she’d had to assist Adelaide to the bathroom, keeping her from hitting the floor, and her middle-aged bones felt every bit of effort.