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“It’s been three years,” she said. “How’s Ember?”
Josephine’s smile widened. She’d been married to Ember for years now, and they had a beautiful daughter named Natalie.
“Ember is great, so is Natalie- they grow up so fast- Natalie that is, not Ember,” Josephine laughed.
She motioned to the seat behind her, and they both sat down.
“So.” Giselle pointed to the file on the desk. “Work.”
“I’ve been looking over a case,” Josephine said, handing it to her. “I would value your opinion on it.”
Giselle opened the file and glanced over the details. “I’ll review it in a minute,” she said, snapping it shut.
She hadn’t even unpacked at her newhome yet. Work was an escape from her harsh reality, and she wanted to take a moment to acclimatize to the office before getting on cases.
“I just need some time to settle in,” Giselle said. “I should be ready for work in an hour or two.”
“That soon?” Josephine asked. “You should get some rest before you jump into the chaos here. Take a day. Then I’ll introduce you to some of the staff you’ll work with.” Her eyes were sharp, assessing. “You’ll fit in well here.”
“I didn’t come here to fit in,” Giselle said.
Josephine’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. “I didn’t think you did.”
Giselle shifted her weight and crossed her arms.
“Well, I hope you came with some party clothes,” Josephine said. “Ember’s birthday party is coming up, and we’re having a small gathering. You should come.”
She didn’t do gatherings, either.
Josephine raised an eyebrow before Giselle could say a word. “Trying to say no? I believe we both know that’s not an option.”
“I’ve missed Natalie,” Giselle said. “I can’t wait to see her again. Of course I’ll be here.”
There was a pause, the kind that stretched too long, but neither of them bothered to fill it. Giselle was fine with silence. Silence meant no expectations and no questions she didn’t want to answer.
“How’s your father?” Josephine asked.
“You mean Dr. Nova?” Giselle replied.
“I mean both of your parents, Giselle.”
“They’re alive.”
Her voice was sharper than she’d intended. Josephine cocked her head to the side, taken aback by Giselle’s response.
Giselle didn’t flinch. She didn’t want to discuss them—not with Josephine, not with anyone.
“Want to talk about what’s going on?”
Giselle frowned. Josephine was staring directly into her eyes. Maybe she felt she’d get answers in there. She stared right back.
“Nothing is going on,” Giselle said.
“Come on.” She placed her arms on the table. “GiselleCarlisle? Really?”
“I’m dropping my parents’ last name. I want to be my own woman,” Giselle stated firmly.
Dr. Mars chuckled. “Fair enough. I know the pressures of a famous surname better than any.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Phoenix Ridge is a bit of a family, you know.”