Page 129 of Hollywood

She smirked at me. “Just kidding. I know you mean Hollywood and Tex. He tried to say they were just friends. Knew that was a crock.”

I laughed. “Hey, at the time it was true!”

She blew a raspberry. “At the time, you guys lied to yourself, you mean.”

I huffed. “Tough crowd.”

Ruby bounced in excitement, making Carrie hiss with pain. I jumped up to lift Ruby to the ground, and she ran over to greet her cousin.

“You okay?” I asked Carrie.

“Yeah, just…seeing firsthand that I’ve got more work to do.” Her lips tugged down, and a crease formed in her forehead. “I hate not being there for her.”

“Hey, don’t think of it that way,” I said. “Think of it as a gift to me.”

She blinked. “Gift?”

“The longer you stay here, rehabbing, the longer I get to keep Ruby. I’m making up for lost time. I love my daughter, and I missed out on a lot. So don’t rush it, okay? Gift me with a little more quality time before she’s living with you again.”

“Wow, you really are smooth,” Kelly said behind me. “No wonder you got Tex to fall for you.”

I turned, face hot. “I wasn’t trying to be smooth. Just honest.”

“Well, I’d say it worked,” Kelly teased.

Carrie sniffled. “Yeah, it did. I feel like I’m failing Ruby, so…it helps to know there’s some good coming out of all this.”

“You’re not failing anyone,” Kelly said. “You’re healing. It’s a damn hard recovery, and you have got to stop guilting yourself. Let us worry about everything else.”

“Okay.”

“And cheer up!” Kelly said. “I’m here to help you blow this pop stand for a bit.”

Carrie’s eyes widened. “What?”

“It’s Cee-Cee’s birthday. We’re having a party. You’re invited.” She turned to me. “So is Ruby. Do you mind if we take her off your hands? I know you just gave this impassioned speech about quality time?—”

“Oh, stop. Of course she can go. I think she’ll love it.”

“You’re welcome too, but it’ll mostly be people you don’t know.”

I raised my hands. “That’s okay. I’m sure I can think of a way to enjoy my day off with my boyfriend without Ruby underfoot.”

Kelly’s eyes twinkled. “I bet you can. Okay, then! What do you say, Carrie?”

“Uh, I don’t know? Have you cleared this with anybody?”

“Of course I have.”

There was a rap on the door, and Kit poked his head into the room. My heart jumped. I hadn’t seen him since the day of Joyride’s freak-out.

He smiled. “Hey, Carrie. I hear you want to go on afield trip.”

“If that’s okay?” Carrie said.

“It is. I’ve got a list of instructions for your family to follow.” He waved a notebook. “Sorry to be a buzzkill, but we’ll have to go over them before you leave.”

“Okay, sure.” She glanced at me. “You probably don’t have to stay for this.”