Pete looked at the ceiling. “Don’t change the subject. Nothing is going on. I already said goodbye to her and…it wasn’t pretty. She smiled, and I still feel bad.” That conversation had been short and sweet with him telling her that he still had a crush on a girl he once knew. Lea smiled, wished him well, and turned on her heel. The last image he had of her was of cold, blue eyes. He shouldn’t have kissed her and left her wanting more.
He didn’t deserve her either.
“You know who I like,” he said wistfully.
“Yeah, I know.” Bertie’s mouth dipped to one side. “I saw her earlier today. Said she was flying out this evening.”
Pete nodded. “Yeah, I kind of figured that when she didn’t show up.” He had wanted to see her one last time, to say goodbye. If his sister was right, Keke did like him but not enough to overcome whatever was keeping her away. Pete didn’t want to be a nuisance and keep trying.
“We talked. I apologized.”
“Good,” Pete acknowledged, still lost in thought over no longer being able to see Keke.
“You want her number?”
Bertie’s slick grin almost dragged the yes from his lips. “No. I don’t want to distract her. She has that audition coming up. She should focus on that.”
Bertie shrugged. “You’re probably right. Plus, you’ve got that meeting with Warp Entertainment. What do you plan on doing about Cornell?”
“I’m going to call the dean. Ask about maybe—”
Bertie gasped and clasped her hands together. Pete chuckled. “Maybe, emphasis on maybe.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe what?”
“Maybe taking a few courses online. Work on my degree in conjunction with my job at Warp—if I have enough time.”
“You got the job?” Bertie squealed and stood.
“Not yet, but I’m going to get it.” Pete relaxed in the chair and put his hands behind his head. His app was amazing. If he could kiss a girl, he could do anything, including selling the app to a bunch of suits.
“That’s the spirit. You get the cushy job with those rich snobs.”
Pete laughed. “I’m about to be one of those rich snobs.”
“And when I come visit, I expect lobster dinners every night.” She winked.
About two hours later, Pete and Bertie sat around their mother’s hospital bed. Her face had more color, and she sat up. Pete thought she had improved, but the doctor said some days would be more difficult than others. When she was admitted yesterday, she was dehydrated. After a night of rest and fluids, her vitals had improved, and the doctor suspected she could be released to hospice care soon.
Titus Headley had joined them a few minutes after Pete and Bertie arrived. He didn’t acknowledge his children but did kiss his wife’s forehead.
“I’m so glad to see everyone. I’ve been watching soaps all day long.”
“At least you’ve been entertained,” Bertie said.
Judith chuckled. “That’s one way to describe it.” She squeezed Pete’s hand. “I’m going to miss you, but you promised to send pictures and video.”
“Where are you going?” Titus demanded. “We have a group of kids coming in next week.”
Pete and Bertie exchanged a worried look. Judith rolled her eyes. “Titus, we went over this yesterday. Were you not here?”
His expression blanked. Pete wondered if his father did actually forget. “I’ve been…doing a lot of thinking. It’s been tough to handle everything with you in the hospital, Judith,” he grumbled.
“I’m going to California,” Pete stated flatly. “I will call the dean at Cornell and ask about distance learning.”
Titus’s expression darkened at the mention of California, but he said nothing. His head bobbed in a nod.
“Good. I’m glad that’s settled.” Judith smiled. “Now, Peter”—she looked him directly in the eyes—“Bertie’s told me you have a girlfriend.”
