Page 132 of With Us

“A while,” I said, trying to stay realistic. “It’s a whole process, and there are no guarantees.”

“Hmm. Were you able to see Theo for long?”

“No.” I paced my room, my fingers pressed lightly to my lips. “They only gave us a few minutes together.”

“That must have made it harder.”

Taking the opening, I launched into my pre-planned script. “I need to know what’s going on. I feel like I’m on the outside—”

“I can’t, Dahlia.”

“I know Theo is family, and I’m putting you in a tough spot.”

“That’s not it.”

The coded language and lack of answers had me tightly fisting the phone in an effort not to launch it across the room. With my luck, it’d bounce back and hit me in the face.

“Then why did you have me call you?” I snapped.

“Because I know what it’s like to come into the family from the outside. I’m not able to tell you more becauseIdon’t know. No one but Theo does. That’s why no one is talking. Anything we told you would bring up a hundred more questions, and you’d be even more frustrated than you are now. I love you and Theo. I don’t want to get something wrong and be the cause of any problems.”

“I don’t need all the answers. I just needsomething, please.”

“He loves you. I promise you that, but the rest of the conversation needs to be with him. He’s the only one who has the answers.”

I groaned in frustration. “That’s what everyone keeps saying.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “If it helps, remember he’ll be out soon. After you talk to him, we can chat more openly. Okay?”

“Mama!” I heard Kat yell in the background.

“Oh shit,” Julie whispered, horror and amusement in her tone. “She’s covered in glitter. I’m talking head-to-toe. Send wine. Lots of wine. Glitter is art herpes. I’ll be finding it for years. I’ve got to go.”

She clicked off before I could say goodbye.

I collapsed back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Julie had been my last real hope. Based on our conversation in the bathroom, I’d assumed she’d tell me more, or at least had moretotell. It helped marginally to know why no one was filling me in, but not enough.

At least I’ll have someone to talk to after, I guess.

In the meantime, I needed to pick up my final paycheck from Wendy and search the job listings.

When did my life turn into such a mess?

???

As Luc pulled the SUV into the packed strip mall parking lot, I scanned the stores until I found Wendy’s new place.

“‘Kale Me, Maybe?’” Luc asked.

“I guess that must be it.” When he pulled up to the front, I hopped out. “This should be pretty fast.”

He just lifted his chin, driving away as soon as I closed the door.

The entrance was wedged open, construction workers coming and going. The smoothie bar area took up one entire wall. There were other doors, most of them closed. I could see wall-to-wall yoga mats in one room. The smell of patchouli, kale, and something woodsy was overpowering.

“Dahlia!” Wendy came bustling from a back room. “Oh, I’m so happy you’re here. I have someone I want you to meet.”

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