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They’re starched and someone probably ironed them, but he’s wearing them.

Along with a Jade Cantrell concert T-shirt.

What’s happening here?

“Hey.” I walk over to join him and Royal, who are drinking beer.

Atlas also rarely drinks beer, only at the beach or the hockey rink.

“You’re late,” Royal points out with a smirk.

I flip him the bird. “Some of us work for a living.”

He rolls his eyes. “Take another ninety-year-old to the doctor today?” He always teases me about my favorite elderly client.

“Better than sitting on my ass all day.”

He smirks. “Jealous much?”

“You’re late!” Briar comes over to join us.

“Thanks.” I look around for Willow, frowning a little when I don’t see her. “Willow in the ladies room?”

Briar shakes her head. “No, haven’t seen her since she dropped off Frankie’s jacket.”

I pull out my phone to check for messages but there’s nothing from her.

I’m about to text her but then stop myself.

She needs freedom.

L.A. traffic is the worst—and unpredictable—at any time of day. She’s probably sitting in it and I’m not going to pull a page out of Dylan’s book by demanding to know where she is.

“Hey, everybody.” Jade comes out of her dressing room, all dolled up for the show, and I can’t help but smile at the way Royal looks at her. Like she’s an appetizer, main course, and dessert—all rolled into one.

“Auntie Jade, can we take a selfie?” Frankie asks as she runs up to her. “For my Insta?”

I nearly choke on the beer Banks just put in my hand.

“Her Insta?” I ask before I can stop myself.

Frankie giggles. “Mommy let me!”

Briar chuckles. “Don’t worry, she only has access to it on my phone, and it’s mostly pictures of cats.”

“And Auntie Jade.” Frankie’s eyes beam with delight.

She really loves her aunties, which is pretty cool.

They take pictures while we talk about the Vipers’ season, and I surreptitiously keep checking my watch.

“Call her,” Atlas murmurs. “You’re about to crawl out of your skin.”

“I have to let her…be,” I say quietly. “I can’t constantly check up on her. That’s what Dylan did and she needs to be able to… adult.”

His brows furrow together. “But?—”

“Believe me, I know. But I can’t be so overprotective that I potentially drive her away.” I take a pull from my beer bottle. “I love her.”