Page 80 of A Million Times, Yes

“I swear, everywhere I look, the universe is trying to push us together. Even on my run this morning, I saw the Worthington Enterprises logo at least twice.”

“It’s a sign.”

I shook my head. “It’s a coincidence.”

“Are you really trying to convince yourself of that?”

I rubbed my lips together, spreading my lip balm. “You and Bettie are laying it on extra thick today. Is something in the air? Is it a certain type of moon? Are you two scheming and double-teaming behind my back?”

“We just care about you.”

“And I care about you, which is why we’re going out tonight. I think it’ll do us both some good. Drinks are on me.”

“I see what you just did there.” She laughed. “But drinks will be on me, not you. You just dropped a shit ton on your mom.” She smiled with caution, like she was peeking into a room she shouldn’t be looking in. “Has she found a job yet?”

“No.” I let out more air than I realized I’d been holding. “She’s applied, so it’s not from lack of trying. I think her job history is finally catching up to her. It doesn’t exactly pack a powerful punch when your résumé shows you haven’t been in a position for more than a year, and there’s a pattern of, what, twenty-five-plus years of that?” I closed my eyes and tilted my head back.

“I hate this for the both of you.”

“Me too.”

She linked her fingers with mine. “Drinks are a must tonight.”

“Yes, they are.”

Jordan:You made Grandma’s whole day by bringing her lunch. Thank you for that.

Me:How could I not when you told me it was her favorite.

Jordan:It was just really sweet of you.

Me:Well, I adore her.

Jordan:If you only knew the way she talks about you ...

Me:I’m sure she told you that we talked aboutYou.

Jordan:She didn’t.

Me:Really?

Jordan:Did she tell you I talked to her about you?

Me:Nope. And that makes me like her even more.

“It must be time for you to head home soon,” Bettie said as I was checking her vitals, marking them in her chart.

“About ten-ish minutes.” I yawned. “I don’t know how I’m going to make it out tonight, Bettie. Emily wants to grab drinks, and I want to climb into bed. What do I do?”

“Honey, you go grab those drinks.”

I laughed. “How did I know you were going to say that?”

“You’re only young once, darling. Take full advantage of it. Because one day, you’re going to be like me—in your eighties, in a rehab center with an artificial knee, dreaming of the days when everything was much easier.”

“You’re right.”

She wiggled in her bed. “Pour yourself a coffee and go out and boogie.”