I focus on the screen in front of me and think about my first article, but my gaze keeps being drawn back to the phone. Just when I’m about to toss it in a drawer, it rings and Chance’s face pops up on the screen.
“Nope,” I whisper to myself, staring at the computer screen but seeing nothing. “Not going to answer it.”
I look up designs but his face flashing on the screen taunts me and my fingers twitch to answer it. I haven’t spoken to him since the dinner last night and I don’t think texts really count. Somehow, I got out of the restaurant and home without having to face him and I was thankful for it. Between the looks he was giving me and the fact that Damian was there, again, I was at the end of my patience. After I got home, I turned my phone off and spent an hour in a hot bubble bath until my legs felt like Jell-O.
My phone buzzes again and I sigh as I glance at it.
Chance:
This isn’t over, Carly.
Damn him for being right.
Chapter Fifteen
Carly
“Dottie,” I call out as I step into the house, the smell of homemade chicken noodle soup greeting me and making my stomach growl.
“In here!” she yells out from the kitchen and I follow my nose, my mouth watering as I realize I haven’t eaten all day. Avoiding Chance is definitely taking its toll on me. Dottie is standing in front of the stove in a long white sundress and her colorful apron tied around her waist.
“Hey, Auntie,” I say, leaning in and kissing her cheek as she stirs the soup. “You look awfully pretty today.”
She blushes and I grin. “Well, thank you, child.”
Sighing, she sets the wooden spoon down as she turns and grabs my upper arms. “Listen, about last week… I’m so sorry I upset you. I lost my head for a few minutes there and I’ve been so worried about you all week. I know you don’t like to talk about that time in your life.”
“It’s okay, Dottie.”
“You mean that, don’t you?” she asks, studying me and I nod. Sure, that night I was a wreck, but it didn’t haunt me the rest of the week like it usually would have. It could have something to do with the fact that Chance distracted me most of the time but whatever it is, I’m not complaining.
“Of course, I do.”
“There’s something different about you.”
I scoff and pull myself out of her arms. “No, there’s not. Now, what do you need help with?”
She’s quiet for a moment and I worry she will push me but she doesn’t. Instead, she shakes her head and points to the stove. “You can check the rolls and set the table.”
“You’ve got it.”
Pulling open the oven door, I peek inside and decide the rolls need a little more time before grabbing three bowls out of the cupboard and setting them on the table.
“So, have you heard from your sister?” Dottie asks and I shake my head.
“No, I’ve called her a few times, but she hasn’t answered or called me back.”
She’s quiet for a long moment before turning. “There is something going on here.”
“I didn’t want to believe it but I’m thinking you’re right. Ivy’s flaky but she’s never been this flaky and she always calls me back.”
“Keep trying, will ya? We’ve got to find out what’s going on with this new man of hers.”
As I grab spoons, I sigh. “You don’t think they’re maybe just in love and wanting to spend all their time together.”
“Girl, I pray every day that is the case, but I’ve got this nagging feeling down deep in my gut that tells me something is wrong.”
I wrinkle my nose. “You should probably see a doctor about that, Auntie.”
“Ha ha,” she playfully sneers. “I know you girls don’t put much stock in my instincts, but they never fail me. The day your daddy died, I knew something was wrong, but I told myself I was being silly. I’ll never do that again. Who knows… he may still be here with us if I had just listened to that little voice inside my head.”
My chest aches as I think about what my life would be like today with my daddy in it. There is so much he missed out on and so much that didn’t feel right without him with me.
“I do know one thing for sure,” Dottie whispers, patting my cheek. “He would be damn proud of the incredible woman you’ve become.”
Tears well up in my eyes and I sniffle as I look away from her. “You don’t think he’d be disappointed?”
“Oh, heavens no. Why would you ever think that?”
“Because of what happened and who I became because of it.”
She arches a brow and flashes me a stern look. “What did that night make you? You’re stronger now because of it and yes, you’re a little too cautious but, sweetie, you’ve just got to get out of your own way. You don’t have to live in this pain for the rest of your life.”
“I want to, Dottie,” I admit for the first time in my life. “I just don’t know how.”
She smiles and pulls me into a hug that reminds me of carefree summer nights and my dad. “Just jump, Carly. All you gotta do is jump.”
I stand up straight, pulling out of her arms and clear my throat as I wipe the tear off my cheek. “Well, that’s about enough of that, I think.”
Dottie laughs and nods. “Certainly. Pull those rolls out. They have to be done by now.”
I go to the oven and take the rolls out, tossing them into a basket before taking them to the table where Dottie is waiting with the pot of soup.
“Well, I suppose we should give her a few more minutes.”
I nod. “I’ll try calling her.”
I dial her number and the phone rings until her voicemail picks up and I sigh. “Hey, Vi. It’s me, your sister. Dottie and I are here at her house waiting for you guys. Are you going to be here soon?”
“So,” Dottie says as I hang up the phone. “How’s work going? Did you find that thing you were looking for?”
I grin, excited to tell her about my new project. “Yeah, actually. I’m going to be running a page about interior design and home décor. Maybe doing some DIY projects. Mercedes is even tossing around buying an apartment and having me fix it up since she’s been wanting to get involved with real estate.”
“Real estate?” she asks. “I didn’t realize you were interested in that kind of thing.”
“Neither did I until I had to decorate my office and looked into it.”
“Well, that’s great. You look so happy when you talk about it.”
“I’m honestly thrilled.”
“Well, good for you, dear. I can’t wait to read all about it.”
My phone buzzes and I glance down, my smile fading at the text from Chance on the screen.
Chance:
How long you gonna freeze me out, Princess?
“That your sister?” Dottie asks and I shake my head. “Who is it?”
“Uh… just this guy.”
Her brow arches. “Chance? The one you took to your mother’s charity thing?”