Page 45 of Feels Like Home

“I haven’t showered today. I look kindagross.”

He chuckles. “Not evenpossible.”

“Oh, you have noidea.”

“Christine, we want you here as you are, any way we can getya.”

A flock of hummingbirds must have just taken flight in mystomach.

“You want me to bring anything?Food?”

“Nah, just yourself. We’re just going to grill some burgers since and relax here tonight. Maybe watch the new Avengers movie or something. I feel like we need a night toregroup.”

“And you’re positive I won’t be in the way ofthat?”

“Absolutely positive. All of us would prefer you be here with us. Please, Christine? We need your happytonight.”

Well, how could I ever say no tothat?

“I’ll be over in just a bit. Let me get these put away. Maybe I can bring over the stuff forsundaes?”

“Do you have it or need to make an extrastop?”

“Umm—”

He interrupts, “Because if you have to make an extra stop, don’t worry about it. We just want youhere.”

Sigh.

“I haveit.”

“Okay, yeah. They’d like that. I’ll see you soon,yeah?”

“Yeah, Andy. I’ll be theresoon.”

“Thankyou.”

“Ofcourse.”

Twenty minutes later, I pull up to Andy’s house along the curb and get out. The boys are both in the front playing basketball in the driveway, obviously enjoying the unseasonably warmtemperatures.

“Hey, boys! How’s thegame?”

“Hey, Christine,” they both mumble, and if possible my heart breaks even more forthem.

I round the car and open the passenger door. The second I get it open, Aidan is standing next to me, reaching around to grab the bag of groceries off myseat.

“Thank you, kiddo.” I ruffle his hair, and he grins up at me but it doesn’t quite reach hiseyes.

“Dad said you were bringing ice cream?” Reeceasks.

“Yup. And toppings so we can do sundaes. Where’s yourdad?”

“In the back starting thegrill.”

“Should we go put this inside then go joinhim?”

“Sure.” Reece shrugs, and Aidan nods in agreement. I follow them both inside where we put the ice cream in the freezer. I love Andy’s home. He had Tess, who’s an interior designer, come over and help him decorate it. It’s masculine but still feels homey and warm. They’re watching me put things away, both quietly sitting on the bar stools by the counter. I wipe the crumbs off the countertop with a wet washcloth then lean over it on myelbows.

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