I called Kevin shortly after my conversation with Trey to see if I could come over under the illusion of wanting to hangout before we went out later but Michelle went to a spa with her sister and Kevin was catching up on some work. So now it’s quarter to seven and I’m just getting to their house before we go out with Georgina.

I’ve only talked to Whitney once since earlier and it was through text and I was getting more anxious with each passing second that I haven’t heard from her. I hated that she was there and I was here. She is with another man while I am about to go out with another woman. Not that either of us had any interest in anyone else but the perception we had to maintain irritated the shit out of me. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

“You’re so early!” Michelle exclaims as she opens the door while sliding an earring through her ear. Michelle was notoriously late so it’s no surprise that while she’s dressed, her hair is still in a towel and only half of her makeup is done.

“We’ve been over this; fifteen minutes early is hardly so early, Miche.” I close the door behind me as Kevin jogs down the stairs as Michelle runs back up giving her middle finger to me on the way. Kevin and I are dressed similarly, both of us in dark jeans and a button-down shirt though I’m wearing a black leather jacket over mine. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I curse mine and Whitney’s terrible timing when I see her name flash across the screen.

“One sec, Kev,” I tell him as I step outside and close the door behind me. “Talk to me baby, you okay?”

“Yes.” She lets out a shaky breath. “I’m still at the hospital.”

“Everything still okay?”

“Yes. Parker is sleeping now so I’m just in the waiting area.”

“Have you eaten anything?”

“I had some terrible hospital food and some coffee that was only slightly better than that. What I need is a drink and a bed… and you.”

My heart aches in my chest thinking about her out there by herself. Uncomfortable. Hungry. Lonely. “Do you want me to order something to the hospital for you?”

“You’re so sweet but I can do that.”

“But this allows me to take care of you.”

“Would I be selfish if I said I want you to come here?” My eyebrows raise in shock because she was so against me coming before. “I know I said I didn’t want you to… but… it’s different now that I’m here. And you’re there going on a date.”

I look over my shoulder to make sure no one slipped outside without me noticing. “Baby, it’s not a date.”

“Stop saying that!”