Page 106 of Worth the Try
Downstairs, I text the only person I can think of who might know where Elodie is.
Is she with you?
KARI
Sorry I’m not talking to meanies right now
Please.
KARI
Why should I tell you if she’s next to me, plastered out of her mind and holding a slice of cheesecake with her hand?
So she’s with you?
KARI
Why would I tell you that she’s been here all day?
I’m coming by in the morning.
KARI
I don’t know why you would because why would I tell you she probably needs to sleep it off till at least ten?
Thank you.
KARI
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Chapter 39
Elodie
Iwake up to a glass of water and some ibuprofen on the coffee table in front of me. Beside them is a note from Kari explaining that she’s gone to work and that we’ll tackle things when she gets home later. Curled up at the end of the couch is Cleocatra, blinking her green eyes at me in what I can only assume is silent judgment for how drunk I got yesterday.
I shower and have some coffee, then hear a knock at the door. My breath catches when I look through the peephole and see Ansel and Rosalie.
With my heart beating wildly, I open the door, only to gape at what they each hold. Rosie holds three different bouquets in her little arms: a dozen red roses, a dozen tulips of different colors, and then a mix of flowers. Clutched in Ansel’s hand are three giant vellum balloons: SpongeBob SquarePants, Bluey, and a massive rainbow balloon with the wordsMy condolenceson it.
“Hi,” Ansel croaks.
“We brought you flowers and balloons because girls deserve a lot of flowers when boys mess up. And Daddy told me he messed up big-time.” Rosie offers this last tidbit with no small amount of pride.
The relief I feel at seeing Rosie is unmatched. I kneel before her, so grateful to see her sweet face that tears spring to my eyes. “They’re very pretty.”
Rosie hands them over, then launches herself into my free arm. “I missed you, Elle Belle,” she whispers.
I squeeze her tight. “I missed you, too, Rosie bug.”
Finally, Rosie lets go and leans back. “Is Cleocatra here?”
I stand and gesture inside, sniffing back my tears. “Oh, yes. She’s somewhere in there.”
Rosie dashes inside without so much as a backward glance, making Ansel and me chuckle.
“Well,” I mutter, watching her disappear around the corner, “at least she’s got her priorities straight.”
