Page 29 of Feels Like Home

I drop the phone on the counter into the dough and rush to pick it up, flour covering my hands. As soon as I have it back to my ear, I grab the closest towel and wipe my hands clean then motion to Emma to finish the cinnamon rolls forme.

It seems like she’s always picking up where I’m leaving off lately. Especially when Andy is on the other end of what I drop workfor.

She looks at me funny before I mouthAndyto her as I point to thephone.

She makes a kissy face at me, and I hip bump her while I’m making my way past her, to which she replies by cackling inreturn.

Brat.

Obviously, I may have been denying it to myself that I had a super crush on Andy — but I was doing a shit job at hiding it from those aroundme.

I knew good and well that’s what was happening, but I didn’t realize the extent of which it had builtto.

“What?” I ask while I’m walking to my office for someprivacy.

“Did you really not hear me, or are you just confirming what Iasked?”

“Just confirming,” Imurmur.

He laughs, which has my bodywarming.

“So, wouldyou?”

“Now?” I ask on ashriek.

“Uh, kind of figured you could come over tonight. Not like this exact instant. And bring Bri. I think it’s time I meet her also. At least,officially.”

“Really?”

“Why not?” he asks, hurt in hisvoice.

I shrug even though he can’t seeme.

“I’m not fighting it, Andy,” I promisehim.

“I want my boys to know you, Christine. And I want to knowBri.”

“You’re not divorced yet,” I remindhim.

“You think I give a shit about Heather?” His voice is a cross between shocked and angry, and I feel a little guilty, but he needs to be thinkingclearly.

“You should. If she catches wind that you and Iare…”

“Are?” he asks, prompting me with a teasing lilt to hisvoice.

“Well, um…” I stumble around for words. “That’s we’re…” I don’t know what we are. I know what I want to be. But I’m much further along in my single status than heis.

“Christine. I likeyou.”

I suck in a breath and spin around in my officechair.

“Do you likeme?”

“Did you want Carly to pass me a note in class so I can check off yes or no?” I teasehim.

He chuckles again. “I know I’m not divorced. Yet. But I’m not asking you on a date. Yet. Truthtime?”

“Always.”

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