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Joe: Of course

I do like to know you were thinking of it

Me too

Liz:

Definitely tomorrow

Joe:

My mouth is suddenly really dry. Where the hell is Roxie with that beer?

****

When I get to my place, lightly buzzed and feeling good, there is a familiar lanky frame in blue jeans and a baseball cap sitting outside my door, a small duffel bag next to him.

“Bobby? What are you doing here?”

“Hey, Lizzie.” He grins and reaches for my hand so I could help him up. “I was sent here on a mission—to bring you back home.” ?

Chapter Eleven

Liz

I let us both in and turn on the lights, then toe off my shoes and drop my keys onto the counter. Bobby follows me inside and drops his bag by the door. He glances around the apartment. The expression on his face tells me he likes it.

“How did you find me?” I ask as I lean against the kitchen island, arms crossed over my chest.

“How do you think? Cousin Chloe.” Bobby sits on one of the barstools.

“Shit. I told her not to tell you guys anything. How did you even know I would be in Madison, that she’d be the one to ask where I was?”

“Give me some credit, sis. I know you pretty well. You wouldn’t go somewhere where you knew absolutely no one. And I know you’re actually tight with Chloe. “

I sulk a bit. “But I explicitly told her not to say anything.”

“And she didn’t. Mom called her probably fifteen times and she really gave no indication she had any idea where you were. But it was different when I showed up at her place.”

“Tell me you didn’t intimidate poor Chloe! She’s got enough on her plate.”

“I didn’t. I didn’t even stay very long. I explained that it’s been months and that we’re worried and that it makes sense for us to know where you are and how you’re doing. And she agreed that she was worried about you a little, too. You haven’t been in touch with her, either.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Doing what?”

“What do you mean, doing what? I’ve been interviewing for jobs.”

“Till 11:00 PM on a Wednesday?”

“Well, no. I met some new people. I was at a friend’s place.” Why do I feel the need to justify myself?

“Oh, you’ve made friends already. That seems ... fast.”

“Well, no one I went to elementary school with lives around here. And it’s nice to meet new people.”

He stares at me, inspecting my face. “You’ve changed, Lizzie.”