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if you need me,” Jessica says, but I’m still stuck in my world. I spoke to him yesterday and he never said anything, but what if the fire was after the call?
    Standing, I tiptoe to shut my door before I head back to my desk and search for my phone.
    With a deep breath, I dial Carter and wait. I have to know he’s okay or I’ll never be able to focus today.
    After what seems like an eternity, I hear his voice come across the line. It’s his voicemail and that will have to do for now. “Carter, it’s Tabitha and … Well, I just found out about the fire and you should have told me last night. I guess you didn’t have to explain. Anyway I hope you are safe and everyone else is too. You—” I’m cut off before I can finish my message.
    Carter is probably too busy to answer, but I know I’ll worry the rest of the day until I hear something. That is an understatement in itself, though. One day it’s “please don’t call,” and then the next, “I can’t wait to hear from him.” Today is the day that Carter needs to not listen to what I say.
    Losing myself in some work, I hear my stomach growl with hunger. This causes me to glance at my watch and wonder why Jessica hasn’t said it’s lunch time.
    As I walk out into the main office area, I spot my brother perched up on the side of the desk leaning down to whisper in Jessica’s ear.
    I clear my throat to announce myself. “I’m hungry, and you, my dear brother, are taking us to lunch.” I don’t wait for his response as I pivot on my heels back towards my office. Purse, phone, and confidence are all in check as I skip back out to my lunch dates.
    “Hey Sis, what are you in the mood for?”
    “Don’t ask me, ask her. She’s the one with crazy cravings and all,” I say and point in Jessica’s direction, earning me a glare.
    “I don’t care. Maybe something light and salty.”
    “Light and salty?” Seth and I say in unison.
    “Yes, like, oh I know, a tuna sandwich, salt and vinegar chips, with a large banana shake.”
    Scrunching my nose up, I let out a loud “Gross.”
    “I second that one, but come on baby momma, let’s feed you and the kid.”
    “If you call me baby momma one more time, Seth, I swear I will slap you into the next universe.”
    “When you answer my question, I’ll stop,” Seth responds in his typical ‘I’m an ass’ voice.
    “If you two need a few, I can go have lunch alone. I don’t mind,” I say, since I’d be delighted to leave them to kill each other while I’m gone. Making a mental note, I need to corner Seth to find out what the latest is with them.
    “No! I’m hungry and you’re hungry, so let’s go. Seth you’re buying,” Jessica says as she snatches up her purse and heads towards the door.
    I observe Seth as he rolls his eyes and stiffens his posture. Yes, find out what is going on, stat.
    “So big brother, you going to meet Cory and me at The Hill?”
    “I plan to. When are we going again?”
    “Tomorrow, but it appears that you and I need to share a few drinks and catch up. Don’t you agree?” I ask as I give him the ‘we need to talk’ look.
    “We could have a quick one this evening after work if you’d like, and then I have a few things to take care of.”
    Responding with a nod of my head, I try to pay attention to what Jessica is going on about in front of us. Seth notices and shakes his head to tell me to let it go. I shrug my shoulders and I let it fly by as I know I’ll get to the bottom of it tonight.
    Lunch was entertaining, to say the least, which leads me to quickly say goodbye to my brother and run in the other direction. The little café was packed and it took forever to get our food, leaving me running behind for the day.
    I listened to those two bicker back and forth while I stared at my phone pleading with it to ring. Still no word from Carter and I’m not surprised. I just had hoped he would have returned my call.
    With a peek out, I see the coast is clear and head towards