“We have a car waiting downstairs,” Jesse added.
Worry still poked at Nicole, but she found comfort in how efficient and competent the Pleasant brothers turned out to be. She poked her head in the door and saw Evie surrounded by Blaire and Raquelle. Nurse Lyle was helping Evie into her coat.
“I wrote down everything,” Raquelle said. “The passcode to your phone. The password to your laptop. The password to your Instagram, but don’t bother with that. I’ll take care of it until you’re ready. I have dozens of cute holiday food posts, throwback recipes ready to upload. The works. I will keep your adoring public busy until you’re ready to come back.”
“I packed all your favorite clothes. Favorite pajamas,” Blaire said. “You have like a three-month supply of contacts in there if you get sick of your glasses, and I gave Jesse your prescription if you want to order more.”
Nicole turned to Jesse. “Anything else you need from me?”
“Not that I can think of. We’ll cover Raquelle’s paycheck and Evie’s part of the rent until we’re out of the woods, and then we can revisit.”
“You guys—” Nicole started, but Zach waved her off.
“Don’t worry about it. You have the network to deal with. We’ll handle everything else.”
“Okay. Keep me updated. I sent you my assistant’s number too, just in case.”
“Yup, we both got it.”
“She’s in good hands, Nicole.”
“I know. I know. Just—you know, the fear and uncertainty. Amnesia seems so much more fun on TV.”
“I’ll call you every day when I get home from work and you can text me whenever you want,” Blaire said before she stepped back into the room, pulling Evie into a tight hug. “I want to hear all about the ranch and all the beautiful horses.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Nicole turned back to Zach. “Maybe don’t parade her around the ranch. I mean, I don’t want people to know where she is, but I also don’t want your guests trying to photograph her.”
“Already on it. Don’t worry. We got this. Nothing but private moonlit tours. If she wants them.” There was no hint of planned seduction in Zach’s voice, but that didn’t stop Nicole from turning her laser focus right to Jesse.
“Don’t let him take her on moonlit tours.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
Zach’s quiet chuckle filled the hall.
“Get in here, Nicole,” Blaire said, waving her over. Nicole didn’t miss the tears lining Blaire’s eyes as she stepped into the room. She walked right up to Evie and fixed the edge of her fur-lined hood.
“You won’t need this jacket in California, but it’ll keep you warm on the plane. Take this time to rest and heal. Don’t rush it, be kind to yourself. Your memory will come back. I know it.”
“Thank you,” Evie replied.
“You can call me anytime.”
“I will.”
Nicole stepped a bit closer then, and lowered her voice. “Please, for the love of God, watch out for Zach. I know he’s a sweet-talker with a megawatt Colgate smile, but the last thing you need is a messy friends-with-benefits situation right now. Trust me.”
“Oh no,” Raquelle whispered. “Definitely sleep with him. Like, you have to. Make him wear the cowboy hat when you sleep with him.”
“Yeah, sorry, Nicole. I’m with Raquelle on this one,” Blaire said with a bright smile. “When you’re feeling up to it, you should definitely sleep with him. I’m sure they have a hayloft. That’s an experience I think you need to have. A new memory.”
“I don’t even know if I like him. I’ll figure out what I want to do if my memory doesn’t come back first, and then I’ll decide if starting any kind of relationship with any man is a good idea.”
“See, that’s the Evie I know and love. Career and self first. Tumbles in the hay second,” Nicole said as she tried to force a smile. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
They said their final round of goodbyes and then Evie was off, a pair of comically large sunglasses and an oversized hat giving her a bit of privacy—or drawing way more attention than necessary. Nicole, Blaire, and Raquelle hung back as she was wheeled to the elevator, the Pleasant brothers following close behind. One who clearly had a thing for her and one who would do anything to protect her. For now all Nicole could do was wait and hope and try to hold on to Evie’s job.
* * *