Page 102 of The Restoration Program

“If you say so, Zhou.”

His tone hinted at an impending goodbye. Stabbed with loneliness at the thought of him ending the call, she changed the subject. “I haven’t heard from Holly since she missed the last couple meetings,” she said. “Have you heard anything from her?”

Somehow, his expression became grimmer. “Nothing,” he said.

Ryan called again, and Nicole couldn’t stop herself from letting out a sharp huff.

“You okay?” Carlos asked.

“Yeah, I’m—” Half a second after she declined Ryan’s call, he called again. Her heart stuttered. All at once, she thought about her car accident. What if it really was an emergency?

She accepted the call, merging it with Carlos’ in her haste.

“Babe?” she said as Ryan’s face appeared on the screen.

He was in the grocery store parking lot. Passing shopping cart wheels rattled on the asphalt. Delivery drones whirred to and from their docking point by the cart return area. With Ryan’s sunglasses on, it was hard to say whether he or Carlos looked more surprised to see each other on the call.

“Hey, sorry about that!” Nicole smiled sheepishly. “Carlos and I were talking.”

“Heya,” Carlos said. His casual tone was almost convincing.

Ryan’s jaw ticked. “Hi. Why didn’t you answer, Nicki?”

“W-we were talking,” Nicole stammered. “Like I said.”

“Okay, how does that stop you from answering?” Ryan pressed. “Did you tell her not to, Carlos?”

“The fuck? Dude, no. Check yourself.”

“He didn’t even know you were calling,” Nicole said. “Relax, babe—everything’s fine.”

“Fine? What if it had been an emergency?” Ryan raked a hand through his hair and glanced around like he was searching for someone to back him up. “You freaked me out, Nicki. I left the basket behind at the checkstand when you didn’t pick up the second time.”

“Are you serious, Ry? What’s gotten into you?”

“I’m on edge, obviously,” he snapped. “I just wanted to check on you. Is that a crime?”

“Man, dial it back.” Carlos laughed humorlessly. “She can survive sitting in front of her computer without a wellness check. Aren’t you down the street?”

“What the fuck is it to you?” Ryan answered, his eyes flashing. “Why are you still even here?”

“You serious?” Carlos stared in disbelief. “Take it easy, man.”

“What, like you wouldn’t be doing the same thing in my position?” Ryan wet his lips and glanced off at the distance before fixing a vicious gaze back on the screen. “Just because you can’t take care of Rebecca the same way anymore doesn’t give you the right to judge me for how I handle my own business.”

“Whoa, whoa—” Carlos straightened, looking like he wanted to reach through the screen and strangle Ryan. Then he settled back and shook his head. “Whatever,cabron. Maybe you’re just being an asshole because you’re scared, but you’re not gonna get anywhere treating her like a child.”

“You know, I keep missing the part where I asked for your input,” Ryan said.

“Ry,” Nicole said, a quiver in her voice. “I’m fine. You wanted to check up on me, and I’m fine, okay? Go get the groceries, and I’ll see you in a bit. Alright?”

Seconds dragged out. Ryan said nothing.

“A-alright?” Nicole persisted.

He heaved a sigh. “Fine.”

His call box disappeared, leaving Nicole and Carlos to stare awkwardly at each other. She cleared her throat, trying to think of something—anything—to say. When she came up empty, Carlos chuckled weakly.