VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(35)

“I’ll be here.”

“Bye, guys,” I say to the kids.

“What do you say to Flynn and Natalie?”

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. We’ll see you soon.”

Flynn has summoned an Uber car that is waiting for us outside Aileen’s building. He holds the door for me and follows me inside.

After a long period of silence, I reach for his hand. “I’m worried about her.”

“Me, too.”

“Her bones… She’s…”

“I know, sweetheart. I felt them, too. My dad has a friend who’s a big-time surgeon here. I’m going to ask him to get a name for us. I want the top breast cancer doctor in the city for her.”

I lean my head on his shoulder. “I’m scared for her. For all of them.”

“We’ll do everything we can for them.”

“Thank you for making my friends your friends.”

“Aileen and the kids are easy to like. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them.”

Flynn asks the driver to take us into the garage to avoid the photographers still staked out in front of the building. The driver makes all the usual noise about the Bugatti, but while he’s friendly, Flynn doesn’t offer photos.

In the elevator, he says, “I feel like steak tonight. I need some protein to build up my strength.” He waggles his brows, reminding me of our plans for the evening. As if I could forget. All afternoon with the kids, I’ve been thinking about how this night might unfold.

But after seeing Aileen in such poor condition, I’m not sure if I can get my head straight to concentrate on him.

“Nat?”

“Hmm?”

“You okay?”

“Sure.” I force a smile for his benefit, but he’s not buying it.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

The elevator opens into the foyer, and he takes my coat, hanging it next to his in the closet.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just worried about Aileen.”

Flynn withdraws his phone from his pocket and places a call. “Hey, Dad, what’s up?” He glances at me. “We’re good. In New York for a couple of days but heading back your way tomorrow. You can tell Mom to go forth with her party planning. We have to go to London for the BAFTAs next weekend, so the weekend after that?” He looks to me for confirmation.

We’re going to London next weekend? I want to squeal with excitement. I’ve always wanted to go there.

“Nat? Is that okay?”

I nod in agreement. Stella is excited to throw a party to celebrate our wedding, and since I already adore my new mother-in-law, whatever she wants is fine with me. This will be their big show, as I don’t have many people to invite.

“So listen, Natalie has a friend here in New York who has breast cancer. She doesn’t seem to be doing so well, and I wondered if you would ask your friend Jared about a recommendation of someone who could see her. I want the top doctor in the city.”

While he talks to his father, I take advantage of the opportunity to text my former roommate, Leah.

So I’ve decided to decline the school’s offer to return. Too much of a circus comes with me now, and it’s not fair to the kids.

I sort of wondered if that would happen. We’ll miss you, but I understand. I’m a short-timer there myself. They asked me to train to be a manager at the bar, and I’ll do that while I figure out what’s next.

Keep me posted.

Will do. How’s married life with the hot movie star?

It’s hot. If only she knew.

I hate you.

No, you don’t.

Yes, I really do! LOL! You can make it all better if you invite me to some fabulous Hollywood party.

I’ll see what I can do.

Squeeeee! How’s Fluff?

She’s good. I think she’s starting to fall in love with her new daddy.

Awww too cute! Miss you guys.

We miss you, too. See you soon I hope!

Tell the hot movie star I said hello.

Will do. xoxo

“My dad is going to call his friend tonight and get back to me tomorrow,” Flynn says when he finds me in the kitchen.

“Thank you for that. Leah says to tell my hot movie star husband she says hello.”

“How is she?”

“Good. I wanted to tell her about not going back to school so she doesn’t hear it through the grapevine.”