"Step-mother," Elena greeted back, trying to not let her surprise and unease show. "What a surprise to see you."
"Yes, but not an unpleasant one," her step-mother replied. "What good timing. Your father just injured his ankle the other day, and I just finally convinced him to get it checked out—will you be taking care of him?"
"Ah, well," Elena smiled awkwardly. "I don't actually work here anymore."
"But you've got the white coat and badge and everything," her step-mother insisted. "You don't need to be shy. This would mean an awful lot to your father—he's missed you terribly!"
" I can't exactly do that for a number of reasons—"
The sentence died on Elena's lips as she saw Massimo enter the hallway. "There you are, Elena," he said, completely unaware of what he had walked into.
"Mas
