Page 41 of Recipes for Life
Chapter 27
Odette
I took the next few days to make sure I was still feeling the same way after the talk with Murphy. I needed to make sure I wasn’t feeling what I was because of the nearness of him. I needed to make sure I was willing to move past everything before I spoke with him about it. Did that mean we would immediately get back together?No.But it meant I wanted to get to know him as a person again, get to know who he wasnow.
Hell, I didn’t even know if he wantedmeback. Sure, I could have sworn there was love behind his eyes, but it had been three years since our divorce. For all I knew, he just wanted us to co-parent. I was currently trying to explain that to Wynn after she asked me if I’d reached out to him, but she was currently laughing in my face.
“You think that man wants to befriends?”She was doubled over, holding her glass of orange juice for dear life. “You think he hasn’t been pining for you over the last three years?”
“Calm down before you crack a rib,” I scolded her, not amused one bit.
“Don’t be daft, Odette. You and I both know that once you give him the go ahead, that man is coming for you.”
I gulped. I knew what she was saying was right, and maybe that’s why I was taking a few extra days. I needed to make sure it was what I actually wanted.
“That’s rude,” I told her, but she barely missed a beat.
“No, that’s honest.”
I quickly took in Wynn’s appearance. She wore black slacks, a vibrant purple blouse that screamed sophisticated, but was still edgy with its color that made it look like it had been specifically made for her.
“Heading out of town?”
I wanted to frown, but I knew if she caught it, she’d make up every excuse in the book to stay.
“Yes.” She sighed, wringing her hands together. “But something is just telling me I shouldn’t go.”
“Pish-posh,” I scolded her. “Do your thing; we will see you in a few days.” I smiled, trying to ease some of her anxiety.
“I still have a few minutes before I have to take off. What are your plans for the day since it’s Murphy's weekend?”
I was scheduled to pick Lux up tomorrow, and it would be the first time we saw each other since we talked. I told myself that I wouldn’t contact him until I had given myself time to think, and since I would be picking her up tomorrow, I figured I’d give myself until then.
“I picked up a shift at the hospital, second shift, three to midnight.”
Wynn shuddered. She knew those shifts and overnights were always the worst, but also knew that they were the hardest to staff.
“I don’t envy you.”
She eyed the clock above the oven, and I knew that meant she had to go.
“Why don’t you call me when you board the plane? It should be before I’m at work.”
Even though Wynn flew a lot, shehatedflying—probably half the reason she wanted to stay here was to avoid the ride.
I heard her exhale a small sigh of relief. “That’d be great, Ode. I’ll call you when I’m in my seat.”
I found that talking to Wynn before she took off always helped her, and since she was always there for me, it was the least I could do. I gathered her into a brief hug, wished her safe travels, and headed upstairs to shower and maybe get a quick thirty-minute nap in before I had to make my way to the hospital for my shift.
I decided to forgo my nap since I had taken a long shower instead, which made me feel a bit more relaxed and ready to take on second shift at the hospital. I threw my scrubs on, braided my hair in a long braid down my back before applying some tinted moisturizer and lip balm. No point in a full face when it would just melt off during work.
Checking the time, I noticed I still had twenty minutes before I had to leave, so I made my way to the kitchen to make a quick snack and pack a few things for dinner. While munching on my apple, I got myself ready for my shift, then made my way out the door. I spent most of my weekends without Lux working at the hospital, but I had a feeling that would be changing soon.
I noticed Wynn had yet to call me, so once I had gotten settled in my car, I hooked up my phone to Bluetooth. I scrolled through the contacts and hit the call button, but I was immediately routed to voicemail. I frowned.Maybe she forgot to call me, and her phone is now off due to being in the sky.
My cell phone rang almost immediately, and a quick glance showed it was Wynn calling. Sighing in relief, I chuckled that I just jumped the gun a little bit. I hit the answer button on my steering wheel. “Hey, how was boarding?”
“Annoying as always. With as much traveling as I do, I’ll never get used to airports.”
