Page 31 of Before You Go
When the auction finally comes to an end, and people start to leave the room. Barrett looks between Franny and I as we get up from our table. “What are you doing the rest of the day?”
“I think I might try to take a nap. Molly came over last night, so I was up late with her.”
“We haven’t seen her in a while. Is she doing okay?” he inquires as we make our way toward the door.
“Yeah, just working. Ted’s been keeping her pretty busy.”
“He wants her to take over the business, so that makes sense.”
“I guess,” Franny agrees as a man approaches Barrett and asks if he wants to go play another round of golf.
“Do you want to join us?” Barrett asks, looking down at Franny.
“I would rather have my fingernails pulled out one by one,” she tells him, and he laughs before looking over at me.
“What about you? Are you up for another round?”
“I would, but I have some work to do.”
“All right.” He reaches out to shake my hand. “I’ll see you at the Hoffner event, right?”
“I should be there.”
“Good.” He lets my hand go and pats my arm, then looks at Franny and kisses her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow for dinner.”
“Yeah.” She gives him a hug, then the two of us watch him walk away before we head outside.
“Where are you parked?” I ask her as we make our way down the sidewalk toward the parking lot. It’s a beautiful day with the sun out and a slight breeze in the air.
“Right over there.” She motions across the lot to a small baby-blue car that is parked under the shade of a tree. Without a word, I start walking her to her car and stop next to the driver’s side door as she digs her keys out of her bag. “Thanks for covering for me in there.” She looks up at me, her eyes looking more blue than green as the shadows and the light shining between the leaves of the tree dance across her delicate features and full lips.
“I noticed you didn’t eat.”
“Yeah, toast seems to be the only thing I can keep down right now. Last night, Molly brought pizza and ice cream, and in case you don’t know, that is not a good combination when it comes back up.” She smiles as I start to open my mouth. “You don’t need to apologize.”
“Did your doctor tell you how long this stage will last?” I ask, uncomfortable with the amount of guilt I feel, even knowing this part of pregnancy is normal for most women. I don’t like that she’s been sick.
“A few more weeks, if I’m lucky.” She covers her mouth as she yawns.
“The offer stands if you want to borrow my guest room to take a nap. I’ll be home, but I need to go over the case I’m working on, so it’ll be quiet.”
“I think I’ll be okay. I’m so tired right now I’m pretty sure I’d be able to sleep in the middle of a Guns N’ Roses concert.”
“You need sleep, Franny.”
“I know.” She rubs her lips together.
“So then use my guest room.”
“I don’t really want to leave PJ. I’ve been gone all morning, and he gets anxious when he’s alone too long.”
“Then bring him with you. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Dayton,” she whispers, and without thinking, I reach my hand out and wrap it around the lower part of her jaw.
“Come over and take a nap. Your dog will be okay with me for a few hours while you sleep,” I tell her, and her eyes wander over my face before she lets out a breath.
“Okay.”
