Page 19 of Love Hollow at Last
“Thank you,” he said.
She nodded.“Of course.For what?”
“For letting me know about Emi.I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I think they let Aya back in.”
Twyla grinned.“Emi’s fine.That con artist, she’s convincing them to discharge her tonight.She probably sweet-talked Dr.Flores.Guess if you spend enough time in hospitals, you learn how to pull some strings, right?”
Noah could ask around and probably get an answer as to what was wrong with Emi, but if it wasn’t public knowledge, he would try to refrain from asking.Twyla would have been more specific if Emi wanted people to know.Ever since the tabloids had tried to get warm and cozy with Noah’s personal life, getting a little too close to a truth that would have shocked their readership, he had tried to err on the side of respecting others.
“Well, thanks,” he said.“I owe you one.”
“An interview?”asked Twyla.“Well, what a coincidence.Because I could really use a good interview.Consider this me calling in the favor.”
“I don’t really d-do interviews these days,” said Noah, and as he stuttered, he was reminded why.“But if you need festival tickets, let me know.”
Twyla laughed.“I have a press badge, dude.Tickets are the last thing I would need.”
He nodded.“Well, yeah.Anything else, just let me know.”
Twyla’s face lit up.“Oh!Come to think of it, there is something.”
Her grin was so wide that Noah dreaded the explanation.“Okay, great.What is it?”
As Twyla described what she wanted him to do, Noah felt some serious reservations.But Aya was pushing Emi’s wheelchair through the doors of the hospital.In a bigger city, they would have insisted that a nurse escort the patient to her car, but in Love Hollow, a trusted local could get around some of the regulations.Emi, who was grinning, almost jumped out of the chair.The two of them headed over, arm in arm, and Noah was out of time.If he wanted to avoid speaking with them, he was going to have to leave.Giving them a little wave, he nodded to Twyla.
“I’ll make it happen,” he said.“But I can’t promise I’ll be very good.”
“Oh, Noah,” she said, “I’m sure you’ll be good enough.”
17
Aya
“Oof, my back,” said Twyla.
Twyla was lounging on the couch, reading the news on her phone, having demolished two slices of quiche and a large bowl of miso soup.Aya rolled her eyes at her sister, who did not look up.Twy’s back did not appear to be injured.
“Want me to take a look?”Emi asked then took a sip of coffee.
Twyla looked up, smiling.“Nah.It’s nothing a doctor can cure.I have a very specific problem.”
“Bye, Twy,” said Aya, heading for the door.
“Are you sure I can’t come with you?”asked Emi.“I don’t know what you think I’m going to do all day.”
“Wait for Charles,” said Twyla.“Ooh, the first flight out!It’s so romantic.”
“Actually, I convinced him not to get that flight.”
“Do tell,” the reporter said, looking up hungrily.
Aya, who was waiting to leave, sighed as she waited for Emi to tell the story.If Charles wasn’t coming, she might need to stay with Emi, in spite of all the things she needed to get done.
“He has a big work thing tomorrow,” said Emi.“So we’re going to wait until that’s over, then I’ll fly back and join him.”
“Is that safe?”asked Aya and Twyla at the same time.
Aya gave her sister a grudging smile.
