Page 50

The bag is identical to the one she gave me, except it’s stacked with black boxes of food. “Is she your chef?” I ask, curious. He said he usually only ate food from a chef.

He grins and nods. “My mom is great at making the healthy stuff and she insisted on continuing that when I made it onto the Breeze.”

I smile. My mother is an amazing woman. Not the most nurturing, but she’s always been happy for me when I achieve the goals I’ve set out for myself. But Mama Hatch is on a whole new level. Maybe a tad bit overkill, but it seems she’s got a heart of gold.

We say goodbye and I walk to the car, grateful I won’t have to take the train anywhere with my lips sticking out like a duck. I can only imagine the looks I’d get.

“Where to?” Trey asks.

“Home. I’m going to need a nap after the embarrassment of today.”

He shakes his head. “It could happen to anyone.”

He drives me to the Spice House and makes sure I get to the front door. “Is anyone else here?”

“No, they’re all at work.”

“What happens if you pass out or something?” he asks, and I can tell he’s picturing it now.

With a laugh, I say, “Trey, I’m not going to pass out from a lip allergy. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure? I could stay for a bit. Make sure you get everything you need.”

“You want to stay? Don’t you have training to get to?” I ask, trying to keep my emotions in check.

He nods. “I’ll get to it later.”

“Trey, the lip gloss isn’t your fault,” I say, trying to figure out the real reason he’s wanting to hang out longer.

“I know, but maybe you wouldn’t be in this mess if I didn’t bug you to join the docuseries.”

I turn to him, putting a hand on his upper arm. “Trey, I decided to give this a try for several reasons. If you keep blaming yourself for every little thing that happens, that’s like not trusting me to make a decision on my own.”

It takes a few seconds for that to sink in. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think of it that way. I thought I guilted you into doing it.”

“No guilt here. I might as well try something new when I have the chance to.” I pause for a moment and then say, “If you want to stay, we can start you on your knowledge of some of the best movies out there.”

“Chick flicks?” he says with a half-smile that sends my stomach for a flip.

“Yep. Then you’ll always have something to talk about when you’re on a date with women.”

Not that I want to ponder that statement too much. The jealousy dragon inside me will awaken and take over.

21

TREY

“Do you need another pillow?” I ask, eyeing the one on the opposite couch. As of right now, I’ve got Kenzie propped up on at least four pillows and tucked a blanket around her.

She reaches out and holds me down when I try to stand. “Trey, I’m fine. You’re treating me like I’m fragile. I’ve taken a lot of hits before, breaking several bones. This is just a small thing.” She points to her lips, which look like they’ve gone down at least a little.

“I just want to help,” I say, sighing.

“I know, and I appreciate that. But let’s settle in and watch the movie. Is this what your mom did every time you got sick?”

Her words prompt a surge of memories of sick days growing up. “Yep. She’d make homemade chicken noodle soup and let me sleep on the couch most of the day.”

“Wow, that sounds amazing. Ramen noodles were the only option in the Sullivan household.”