Page 168 of Little Sunshine
Me: Is Ash, Maximo, or Marco with you?
Juliet: No.
Juliet: Why?
Juliet: What’s wrong?
Clutching my phone, I rushed to the elevator and went down to the lobby. By the time I stepped off, Elliot was there.
He pointed up. “Cole set it so we get an alert when you or Mrs. Black press the button. Pool?”
I shook my head. “Have you seen Ash?”
“Not recently. What’s wrong?”
“I’m not feeling well.”
It wasn’t a lie. My sour stomach churned like I’d used curdled milk in my coffee.
He went alert, his voice lowering to just above a whisper. “Do you want to leave?”
No, I want Ash to call and tell me what’s going on.
Tell me the truth.
I shook my head. “I’ll try calling Marco or Cole.”
“I’ve got it,” he said, already pulling his phone from his pocket. He put it on speaker.
“Mila with you?” Marco asked by way of greeting.
“Yes, she’s not feeling well. Is Ash with you?”
“I’m on my way.”
“I can bring her—” he started, but the call disconnected.
Elliot was always kind, but he kept a professional distance from me as he did his job. Even still, there was something Dad-esque about it. Like he was a friend’s dad in charge of keeping his chaperone group safe on a field trip.
That vibe was especially strong as he studied me with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I think I just ate something bad. It’s causing stomach issues.”
He didn’t ask anything more.
The elevator I’d stepped out of opened again, and Marco stood inside. He jerked his head.
Taking that to mean I was supposed to join in, I went inside.
“I hope you feel better,” Elliot said, still watching me like he thought I’d die at any moment.
It wasn’t me I was worried about.
I waited until the doors closed before asking, “Where’s Ash?”
“Downstairs.”
“In the garage?”
