Page 105 of No Backup Plan

"Cheesechop? Seriously? Youdoknow, these nicknames just keep getting worse, right?"

Hell yeah, I knew.But right about now, I'd say almost anything to make her smile. "If you thinkthat'sbad, you should hear what I call my lawyer."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure I want to."

"Youdefinitelydon't want to." But then, I gave her a look that said joke-time was over. "But I still want the story."

"But why? It's not like you can do anything."

I grinned, making it extra-cocky to ease her mind. "The hell I can't." But inside, I sure as hell wasn't grinning.

43

Weather Girl and the Truth

Ryder

Abruptly, she turned and started walking. I didn't know where home was, but we'd turned away from Main Street and were heading inland, leaving the hotels and shops behind as the area turned residential.

Keeping pace, I said, "Youdoknow that if you reach home without telling me, Iamcoming inside."

With something like a laugh, she said, "Just like I did." She gave a quick shake of her head. "Do you know, I basically showed up on Maisie's doorstep and barged my way in?"

This wasn't the story I'd asked for, but that didn't mean I wasn't interested. "Oh, yeah? How'dthathappen?"

"Maisie – that's my roommate."

"I know." I forced myself not to push.

"Right." Her fingers fidgeted with the zipper of the hoodie. "Of course you do. I mean, your friendisworking for her. How'd that happen, by the way?"

I scoffed. "Nice try."

"What do you mean?"

"You'rethe one who's supposed to be talking, not me."

She made a sound of protest. "But Iamtalking."

"True. But when you get to the traffic and weather, we're gonna have a problem."

"Oh, yeah? Well,somebodysaid it's supposed to rain tomorrow."

I smiled. "Try again, weather girl."

She went quiet for a beat, and then said, "Look…that whole flameout? It wasn't the beginning of anything. That was the end. The trouble started earlier."

She was walking slower now, and I adjusted my pace accordingly. "So whendidit start?"

"First, I should tell you...Carver Health…you know…Evan Carver's company…"

I snorted. "You mean Daddy's company."

"Not the way Evan tells it."

"Yeah, because he's full of it. But you were saying…?"

Suddenly, she announced, "Carver Health isn't what it seems."