Jax wanted to be surprised that she wasn’t included on that list, but she had no reason to be. Gretchen wanted to be a better person for the right reasons, and she should be happy about that. She continued down the stairs and started straight for Caleb’s room, knowing he wouldn’t be ready for school yet. She bumped into Caleb along the way. He was perfectly dressed and smiling at her.

“You’re ready,” she said in shock.

Caleb nodded.

“Here’s his lunch and a little something for you, too. I’m not sure what you eat lately while you’re working, but I figured a snack couldn’t hurt.” Gretchen handed Jax a bulky Spider-Man lunchbox and a brown paper bag.

Jax didn’t know what to say. “I’ll be home later. Text me if you need anything.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Thanks.” Jax held up the bag and walked to the door. She was so blindsided by Gretchen’s behavior that she almost forgot Caleb.

Chapter Thirty

24 days, 16 hours, 33 minutes

Jax sat back at her desk and felt good about the progress she had made for the day. No longer having the stress of Gretchen being in the hospital made a huge difference. She could focus completely on the task at hand and give work her full attention. She even opted to order pizza delivery to the office to ensure she stayed on task, and her coworkers were grateful she ordered plenty to share. Jax didn’t take a real break until a little after two in the afternoon when she sat back and pulled her phone from her pocket. She had ignored several messages throughout the day, only making sure there weren’t any from Amanda or Gretchen.

Wyatt invited her over for dinner, and the idea made Jax smile. Wyatt was a phenomenal cook, and she hadn’t spent much time with Carly recently. She knew accepting the invitation was a good idea, without a doubt. Especially if the weirdness with Gretchen just that morning was any indication. Jax needed a little extra time to clear her head.

Meredith sent a selfie, puckering her full, moist lips. She was tantalizing, but Jax wasn’t in the mood to talk about the first night back in her old house, and she definitely didn’t feel like dancing around the awkwardness that’d surely follow. Meredith had to remain as separate from Gretchen as possible, or Jax’s life would become a huge mess. Well, messier than it already was.

Seth propped himself against Jax’s desk. “Did you order these from Rosie’s?”

Jax didn’t mind Seth. He was one of the few guys in the office who didn’t treat the job like a competition. She watched him shove half a slice into his mouth before she answered him. “I did.”