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“Hey, Liv. Thanks for calling. So, something big has come up, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
Swirling through my stomach almost sends me running to the bathroom. Oh, God. He knows.
Chapter 28
Noah
I’ve been dreading making this call, but it has to be done no matter how bad I feel about leaving Liv high and dry.
“I have to leave. The Hawaii deal just keeps hitting snag after snag, and I need to get down there. I can’t put it off any more than I already have, and I’m going to take Elijah with me. He really wants to see the fish. So that means I won’t need you the next few days. I’m so sorry.”
Silence fills the line, and then I hear Liv burst out with a nervous chuckle.
“Liv? Are you okay?”
More laughter radiates through the line, but then she composes herself and answers me.
“I’m fine. Sorry. I thought this was about something else. You know, like firing me. So I guess you just surprised me.”
Her voice evens out to its usual tone, but there’s a tightness to her words as she says “firing me.”
“Oh, no. Of course, I’m not firing you. I’m sorry if I’ve made you nervous about it. I just know that you depend on the income you get from me. I’m just hoping this provides you with a chance to rest. I don’t want you still sick when I get back.”
There’s another long pause, and then Liv comes back with, “I guess we’ll see. Have a safe and successful trip.”
I can sense her getting ready to hang up.
“I wish you were coming. I like when it’s the three of us.”
“I’ll see you soon, Noah.”
I can’t see her to be sure, but it’s like I can almost hear the tears in her voice, and I don’t know what to do.
“See you.”
Liv hangs up, and I set my phone back down on the nightstand. I’ve been packing for the emergency trip, and Elijah comes in with his snorkel for the pool.
“Can we go see some of the fish? Hawaii has so many cool ones! I want to see the fish with the longest name!”
His excitement helps to dull the worry lingering in my heart, and I smile at him as I fold a shirt.
“The longest name?”
“Iau…iau…okay, I can’t say it. Hold on.”
He runs to his room and comes back with one of his animal magazines, and shows me a picture of a beautiful fish swimming in the ocean. The name underneath reads, “lauwiliwilinukunuku?oi?oi,” which I also have no idea how to pronounce.
“Dang. You weren’t kidding. Well, I guess we’ll see if they have some at the local aquarium.”
“Can we go in the ocean, too? I want to snorkel and swim with sharks!”
The image of Elijah getting snatched up by a great white fills my brain, and I shake my head vigorously.
“No sharks. But the ocean—” I imagine the giant waves “—we’ll see about a guided swim.”
“Yes!”
Elijah is off to pack again, and I can hear him banging around in his room as he goes through his things. I’ll have to remember to check for actual clothing among the ocean gear and toys.
