"The tickle monster is gonna get you." I tweak Masie's sides and soak in her little smiles as I try like hell not to watch the clock.
7:03
Bella's late.
But I'm refusing to panic.
Swaddling Mase, I turn on her mobile, the little elephants twirling to the tunes of Twinkle, Twinkle as I grab the monitor and turn off her light.
I'm halfway down the stairs when my phone rings.
I nearly drop it as I tug it from my pocket.
My hand shakes as I hold it out to read the screen.
It's Bella.
Finally.
Nervous swipe.
"Hello."