Zain's POV
I stood beside my car without getting in, lighting up a cigarette instead.
The smoke curled upward as I squinted through it, telling Joanna, "I'm going to the office."
Joanna's voice came through the phone with a note of surprise. "Zain, Carry's got a fever again."
My jaw tightened with worry. "I'll get her aunt to stop by and check on her."
Silence stretched between us for what felt like forever.
Finally, with obvious hesitation, she pressed, "Zain, where are you really? Are you actually going to the office?"
Her suspicion hit me like a punch to the gut.
Something twisted uncomfortably inside my chest at her tone.
After a beat, I answered simply, "Yeah."
But that only made her more suspicious. "Zain, can we video chat? I really miss you."
I shut that down immediately. "Joanna, I'm about to drive. Not a good time for video."
I could practically feel her assumption that I was brushing her off so I could run off and do my own thing.
