“I run the office side. Keep charts in order. Make sure the doctor signs everything, which is almost a full-time job in itself.” That makes me snort. “I also handle the community outreach. I want people to know they have a place to go if they need help.”
“So I’m sitting next to a saint.”
“Hardly.”
I look ahead and meet Jafar’s gaze in the mirror. His eyes smolder, as if he’s remembering what we did the other night. My cheeks flush and I dig in my purse, looking for my phone. Anything to take my gaze off his.
Al doesn’t seem to notice my discomfort and says, “I’ve never been to Kansas before. What’s it like?”
“Flat,” I answer with a laugh.
We settle into pleasant conversation. Luckily, Al is one of those people who loves being the center of attention and tells story after story of his youth. I laugh as he finishes.
“You really had a pet monkey?”
“I did. It was great until the apartment manager did a random inspection and found him.”
“That’s crazy.”
“What about you? Any pets?”
“No pets. I’ve always wanted a cat, though.”
“Why don’t you have one?”
“I had one when I was a kid. After my dad died, my stepmom made me get rid of him.” I shrug. “I guess I just didn’t want to have to go through that again.”
I haven’t thought about that in a long time. I loved my cat, Rhett Butler, so much. My stepmom claimed she was allergic and took him to the pound. I’d like to think he was adopted, but chances are he wasn’t. A few weeks later, my stepsisters came home with a grey cat named Lucifer. When I asked why they got to keep him, my stepmom slapped me across the face and sent me to my room. It’s for the best, though. I went back to boarding school after that and wasn’t invited home during breaks, so no one would have been there to take care of my pet.
“What was his name?” Al asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Rhett Butler.” I smile. “All good cats need a first and last name.”
“I like that. So, what are you planning on doing when we get to Water Mills?”
“Take a nap,” I admit. “I haven’t been sleeping very well lately.”
I swear I can feel Jafar’s gaze searing into me. I don’t look at him, though. I focus on Al, keeping a smile on my face.
“Bummer. I was hoping you’d want to check out the beach.”
“Ellie can’t be in the sun too long or she’ll burn,” Jafar says. Each word is clipped, as if he’s annoyed.
I mean, he’s not wrong, but I get the feeling this has nothing to do with my sun tolerance.
I do look at him this time, smiling sweetly. “Thanks for your concern, Jafar, but I can always put on sunblock.” To Al, I say, “We should definitely check out the beach.”
Jafar hits the brakes, throwing everyone forward.
“Sorry,” he mutters. “Thought I saw a dog.”
But I don’t think he’s sorry at all. In fact, I think he did it on purpose. Jasmine takes out her earbuds, turning to face me and Al.
“Sorry my husband is a terrible driver. I tried to get him to bring Razoul, but he insisted on driving.”
I think back to what he said about missing being behind the wheel.
I say, “He’s not terrible. And this way, you didn’t have to bring two vehicles.”