16. Rosa

Iwalked into my sister's house, surprised to see her home already.

"Hey!" I smiled too brightly. "You guys are home early." About three hours early.

"Yeah." Elena smiled, but concern prickled at the back of my neck when I noticed it didn't exactly reach her eyes. "I took the kids out of daycare early, and we went to the park."

"Early?" She nodded. Something flashed in her eyes that were a lighter shade of brown than my own.

"Yeah. I had a bad case and—" She took a deep breath, almost like she was struggling with whatever had happened.

"Elena?" I set the pizza and goodies on the table and walked over to her, leaning on the kitchen counter next to her. "What's up?" She shrugged. The haunted look faded from her face.

"It was a bad case, and I just needed some fresh air."

"And you left work? Early?" Anyone else, I wouldn't have blinked at them doing that, but Elena was different. She was a workaholic who thrived on as much overtime her manager would let her accumulate.

"No, not exactly…" Not exactly? I frowned and leaned in closer.

"Did you get fired?" I whispered, looking around wondering where my two little favorite humans might be.

"No," she laughed. "Nothing like that. Dr. Montoya suggested I go home early after he saw how it affected me."

"Dr. Montoya, huh?" I mumbled suspiciously, but Elena knew me. She simply rolled her eyes.

"Yes. Dr. Montoya and Dr. Silver both thought?—"

"And Dr. Silver?" My lips twitched. Two hot doctors? And the plot thickened.

"Rosie," she groaned, but I wagged my brows at her. I had been hearing a little more about these doctors more often than not on my days off.

"Well, that was nice of them, wasn't it?" I smiled knowingly. Elena stared at me like she thought I was her crazy little sister, but it didn't stop the slight blush on her cheeks.

"Whatever. They're nice."

"I bet." I giggled, and she shook her head. "Oh, before I forget! You got a package. It's in the basement."

"I did?" My eyes widened. I hadn't done much online shopping since I moved to Seattle. My sister's hours were crazy, and porch pirates were a thing, so having anything delivered to the house was risky, and it had felt weird to have something shipped to work.

"You did. Gorgeous box, too."

"Hmm." I frowned. "I wonder if Jenna sent me something?"

"Maybe. Your birthday is around the corner. Maybe she sent it early?" Jenna was a friend and my old boss from LA who had helped me get my housekeeping gig.

"True," I agreed. Jenna and I might not talk as much now, but she was always very thoughtful. "Anyhow, any plans this weekend?"

"Actually… umm…"

"What?"

"Well…" I watched Elena carefully. She seemed almost nervous.

"What is it?" I asked. It wasn't like my sister not to share.

"I feel bad." She winced.

"You feel bad?" My hand darted up to feel her forehead. "Like sick? I asked, but she was cool as a cucumber.

"No. I just… I know you come home for the weekend to spend time with us."

"But?"

"But I was thinking about going out of town with the kids for the weekend. Maybe head to the beach."

"Oh." I blinked. "I assume you wanna do this without me?" I guessed, and she shrugged.

"It's just…" She pressed her lips together. "The call today… shook me up, and Joshua offered his beach house, and it sounds great."

"Josh-ua?" My ears perked up. "Is this the same Dr. Joshua Silver who made you leave early?"

"Rosie, it is not what you think."

"Hmm." I pressed my lips together, but she was already arguing with me.

"If you even saw him or Dr. Montoya?—"

"You mean Rick Montoya?"

"Rosie," she groaned, but my smile broadened.

"And what about Dr. Jefferson, umm, gosh, I can't remember his first name?"

"Rosie," she warned and shook her head. "It's not like that," she whispered, looking around to make sure no little ears heard her. "They are nice doctors. That's it."

"Hmm, nice is good." My lips twitched, and then I shrugged. It was obvious my sister wasn't ready to share, and I wasn't going to push her. "I think you and the kids will have an amazing time, and there is nothing to feel bad about. You deserve some family time together."

"You're our family, too."

"I know, but you know what I mean."

"But—"

"It's okay." I smiled genuinely at her and squeezed her hand. "You guys have a good time. You deserve it."

"But—"

"I will have to sacrifice myself to binging on yummy pizza and a couple bottles of wine this weekend." I winked at her after hugging her and made my way toward the basement.

"Hey, you okay?" she called out. I glanced at her from over my shoulder.

"What? Why?"

"I don't know… you look…" Her voice drifted to nothing, and I waited for a beat.

"What? What do I look like?"

"Different."

That would probably be the slutty afterglow I felt after making out with my bosses and then some with one. But I didn't share that. "I'm good."

"You sure?" Her head tilted, and her dark hair that was a lot like mine, just longer because she said she had no time to go to a hair salon, tumbled down her shoulder.

"Yeah." I tried to fake a smile. I might tease my sister about the three men she worked with, too, but I had no idea how she would react if I told her I had fallen in love with one of my bosses, much less three.

Not to mention the whole kissing them and sleeping naked next to one after he got me off so good I saw stars without him even touching me.

"It was just a weird week."

"You sure?" Her brow rose, and it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"Yes, very."

"Hmm…" She stared at me for a moment, and I felt like she could see right through me.

Was it obvious?

Was it painted all over my face that I had messed around with three men?

"Okay. But you know you if you need me, I'm here."

"I know, but right now, all I wanna do is take a shower and get into something comfortable before eating. When are you leaving?"

"I was thinking about tonight. I have everything mostly packed."

"Call me when you're ready, and I will help you load your car," I offered, and she nodded.

"Thanks." I squeezed her hand before letting it go to head down to the basement and my lumpy couch.

"Rosie?" she called again when I took the first step.

"Yeah?" I glanced at her.

"I wouldn't make plans just yet until you open that box downstairs," she sing-songed. I laughed. I doubted whatever Jenna sent me from California would give me any kinds of plans.