“You need to start making some choices, Grace.”
“Why do I have to make a choice?”
“Emma told me what you’ve been doing to Dex.”
“Emma needs to mind her own business.”
“It is her business. She’s in love with Dex.”
“She couldn’t possibly be in love with her. They haven’t knowneach other long enough.” She spun around. “Besides, Dex isn’t in love withher.”
“How do you know that? Have you even asked her?”
“No, but she would tell me if she was.”
“You’re so self-absorbed you can’t even see it.”
“I am notself-absorbed.”
“Yes, you are. Always have been.” He went into the bedroom andpulled some clothes from the dresser. “Look at the poor girl out there hanginglights for you when she’s sick. And she’s doing it for free.”
“You said I had to cut back on spending.”
“I also said I’d do the lights.”
“Christmas is only twelve days away, and you haven’t done themyet.”
“I was waiting for a warmer day.” He took off his suit and tuggedon his jeans and a long-sleeved, waffled Henley shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going out to help her.”
“Then you might get sick.”
He stopped and stared at her. “The exact thought you should’ve hadwhen Dex showed up here today.” He pulled a Chicago Bulls hoodie over his head.“Emma is my friend, and Dex is yours. You’re messing with all our lives, and ifyou keep it up, it’s not going to turn out well.” He rushed down the hallway,yanked open the closet door, and plucked a beanie from the top shelf.
“You’re like a pimple on her ass, Grace. Leave her alone.” He wentout the door and pulled it closed behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The constant buzzing of the phone brought Dex out of hercold-medicine-induced sleep. She checked the screen—four missed calls fromGrace. She’d called John, her crew supervisor, last night and told him she’d beout today and then put her phone on silent when she’d gone to bed. Thecongestion in her sinuses was so thick, her head felt like it was about toexplode. She plugged in her unlock code and hit the button for Grace, whoanswered immediately.
“Hey,” she said, her voice gravelly.
“Thank God you finally called me back. You had me so worried. Iwas just getting ready to come over there.” Grace rattled the sentences off soquickly, Dex’s head hurt worse than it already did.
“I’m fine, just trying to get some rest. I’ve got a head cold.”
“I’m so sorry about yesterday. I didn’t realize you were sick. Youshouldn’t have been out in the weather like that putting up lights.”
“It’s okay. We got them done.” Dex coughed.
“Are you okay? Can I bring you something?”
“No. I’m just going to take a day and sleep. I have to whip thisfast. My schedule this year is full, and I can’t afford to miss another day.”
“Can’t your crew handle it without you?”
“They probably can, but I need to be there. The customers made thecontract with me. Plus, it gets done a lot faster with more hands.” She coughedagain. “I’m going back to sleep. Talk to you later.”
When Dex woke up later that afternoon, Grace was sitting on theside of the bed watching her.
“I brought you a cup of tea.”
Dex glanced at the nightstand to see a whole pharmacy of drugs.
“And some ibuprofen, decongestant, and cough medicine.” Gracepicked up each bottle and set it down again as she named them. “I didn’t knowwhat you had.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Dex let out a laugh that quickly morphed into acough. She launched out of bed and went into the bathroom.
Grace followed her to the door. “Are you okay?”
“I’ve been better, but I have to pee.” She blew her nose beforeshe came out of the bathroom, which didn’t help the ringing in her ears onebit. When she got back to the bed, Grace had doses of all the medications readyfor her. She really was acting like her mom.
“Here.” Grace handed them to her one at a time with a glass ofwater to chase them down. “Now drink some tea, and then you can lie back down.”
She took a few sips of tea and handed it back to Grace beforecrawling into the bed fully clothed in her sweatpants and hoodie. Grace handedher the remote to the TV and put a fresh box of tissues on the bed next to her.
“Get some rest. I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.”She patted her on the leg and then went to the door.
“Hey, Grace.”
Grace stuck her head back through the doorway. “What do you need,honey?”
“There are some lights by the couch. They’re for my neighbor. He’ssupposed to come by and get them later.”
“Got it.” She crossed the room and pulled the blanket up aroundDex. “Just text me if you need something.”
“Thanks.” She hadn’t expected Grace to show up and take care ofher, but it was nice that she had.
* * *
The door to Brent’s office had been closed all morning. Emmahadn’t seen him in the break room or in the hallway at all. It was clear he wasavoiding her. He was one of her best friends, and she had to fix this wallshe’d created between them. She hadn’t meant to make him think Grace wasunfaithful. Well, maybe she had, but blaming him for her own mistake was wayout of line.
She knocked lightly on the door before she heard him say, “Comein.”
“Can we talk for a minute?” She pushed the door open slowly, tryingto gauge his mood before entering.
“Sure. Have a seat.” He glanced up briefly before he flipped hishand to one of the chairs in front of his desk.
Extreme politeness, not the best greeting. Emma crossed the roomand sat on the edge
