“You know, I can stay here until Monday morning. I can watch the boys if you want to go away for the night.”
“Don’t tease me,” Millie drags.
“I’m serious.” I laugh. “Look, I babysat before. Mom and Ava aren’t far if I need help, but trust me, I got this.”
“I know, but—”
Will interrupts Millie. “I’ll organize the plane now. Palm Springs, just you and me, baby.”
Millie purses her lips to then break out into a smile. “Okay, but don’t get too excited. I have my period. Sorry, sis. I know, TMI.”
I laugh, poor Will.
“But your mouth is okay, right?” Will questions with a serious expression.
Millie smacks his arm. “You’re such a guy!”
I have spare clothes and my toothbrush in Millie’s guestroom, and she says it’s fine to borrow work clothes for Monday. This way, I avoid going back home.
As for the boys, when they found out it was just me for the weekend, their eyes lit up, and they didn’t care their mom and dad would be gone.
Aunt Alexa is apparently the funniest aunt ever, according to them.
I’ll take the challenge. Anything to forget about Hunter Cash.
At least for this weekend.
* * *
When Monday rolls around, I find myself in a much better headspace. Playing Pokémon all weekend does that to you.
The boys were well-behaved, enough that I didn’t need to call for backup help. Mom video called to ensure everything was okay and even offered to come over and cook, but I had it all under control. Dinosaur nuggets for the win.
Running into Hunter at the office is inevitable. I brace myself for it, but he is traveling out of state, according to Meredith.
“You must be relieved when he travels,” I mention, careful not to raise any concerns on her end over my questions. “Gives you a break, right?”
“Not really. Mr. Cash was scheduled for meetings this week inside the office. All of a sudden, he changed his schedule so now he is away. If anything, it’s more work for me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“My dear.” Meredith smiles politely. “Why on Earth should you be sorry? This is my job.”
“I know you like things organized,” I rush, trying my best to lie even though I wonder if his disappearance has anything to do with Friday night. “If there’s anything I can assist with, please let me know. I’ll just get back to my reports before lunch.”
As I leave her office, Josh catches me in the corridor and reminds me about lunch. I happily accept since it’s at the café downstairs.
The week passes with no sign of Hunter. No text, no email, or anything, like he disappeared off the face of this earth. At home, April mentioned he was home on Sunday for a bit and mentioned traveling again.
I didn’t pry, again, not wanting to raise suspicion.
Eric insisted I still celebrate my birthday next weekend. Surprisingly, I’m excited to turn twenty. Maybe people, in general, will take me more seriously since I no longer have the word ‘teen’ attached to my age.
The plan for my birthday involves some Japanese restaurant where they throw food at you. To be honest, I’m surprised Eric suggests this since he only ever dresses in designer clothes. Imagine his Gucci silk shirt being ruined in a food toss, the outrage of such a disaster.
As much as dinner would be nice, I want to do something more fun.
“You’ve come to the right person.” April grins as we sit in the den and finish binge-watching Gilmore Girls. “Oh, do I have plans!”