Chasing the Sun (A Rebound Novella Book 2) by Nikki Mathis Thompson Page B

worry…oh shit—hold on a sec…bwuuuahhhh!” More vomiting noises and some spitting, then her struggling to pick up the phone. “Okay, that was wrong on soooo many levels. Really, I just re-enacted a scene from The Exorcist aaaand there may have been some of my lower intestine in that one.”
    He laughed, but at the same time it made his stomach hurt. He leaned towards sympathetic vomiting.
    “Maddie, you sound awful. Go back to bed.”
    “Okay, getting in now…Ahhh fuck, that’s better…sorry I’m missing your big day. Take lots of pics…but I think I may be dead before I can see them.”
    “You’re not gonna die, but I hope you have someone to take care of you. Is your sister in town?”  
    Huh. Mentioning Katrine, Maddie’s heartbreaking sister, didn’t make him want to punch a wall…progress.
    “Yeah, she’s coming by later. She’s making me soup…always makes me feel better.” Her voice was starting to slur from exhaustion most likely brought on by projectile vomiting.  
    “Well, get some rest. I’ll call you in a few days.”
    “K.”  
    He was pretty sure she just threw the phone on the floor without hitting the end button.  

    Ian leaned back in his desk chair, twirling a pencil. The two squirrels that inhabited the tree on the other side of the glass had been entertaining him daily since he arrived. They chased each other, their chirps becoming more maniacal as they rounded the trunk. He imagined they were married and the one that just got bit and bitch slapped by a little paw was most likely the husband. Meerkat Manor had nothin’ on these two. Yes, he watched Animal Planet—though no one knew it. Well, Trey busted him when she saw an episode of Dogs 101 on his DVR.  
    What? He liked animals.
    The furry couple had disappeared into the canopy of leaves, so Ian was forced to do some actual work. Elevations, cross sections, 3-D renderings, blah, blah, blah…No focus—lines started to blend and blur. He decided to pack it up and head to the site one last time. Speaking of packing it up, he had yet to decide when he was leaving. Theoretically, he could stay and work from this office as long as he wanted, so he had time to pack his things and say his goodbyes without a deadline. The thought of leaving this city and the people he’d met made him a little depressed, but he had to get back to his life. It was going to be strange going back without Ruby. It wouldn’t feel quite like home without her.  
    “You closing up shop, man?” his co-worker Mark asked. Mark Banks was a few years younger than Ian. His red hair was thick and perpetually sticking up in odd places. He said his hereditary cowlick was to blame.
    “Yeah. I can’t concentrate for shit” Ian put his black computer bag on his shoulder. “See you guys at the opening, right?”
    “Free booze?” Ben asked. He held one of three coveted intern positions. Ben was short, very slender, and of mixed Asian descent. Smart, funny, great taste in music, and was always up for a good time. They’d had many a pint together.
    “Yes, Ben, open bar. But you can’t wear Converse.”
    “What? Ahhh, man. Not even my black ones? Bummer.”
    “I have got to see what all the fuss has been about, chief,” Mark said, cocking a thick eyebrow. “And I can’t wait to see what your date looks like.”
    “Is it that hot little bartender you’re always hanging out with? Man, she’s got some serious curves—those cans!” Ben added. Ian gave him a look. “Sorry, Ian…she does, though,” Ben said sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders.
    “Her name is Trey, and she will be there, but I’m bringing someone else.”
    “Whoa, you doublin’ up? Nice…ah, to be good looking,” Mark teased. His own face, although not exactly ugly, was what one might call an acquired taste. But he was married, so his wife’s taste must be portly gingers with unruly hair.
    “Trey’s just a friend.” The fact that they’d made each other moan was