I can feel Alex’s eyes burning into mine with questions, but I don’t look at him. I don’t want to tell him about Devon showing up again, but I also don’t have the energy to even make up a lie or pretend that I’m not in a bad mental place right now.
My phone dings and vibrates on the cushion beside me. The sound isn’t loud, but it slices through the calm like a siren. My stomach drops, and a jolt of panic runs through me as I grab the phone. It’s the doorbell app, the camera feed lighting up the screen.
Someone’s at the door. Is Devon back?
I grip the arm of the couch. My heart races as I fumble to unlock the screen, half-expecting to see him. My chest tightens with panic as I stand to go to my room to where my gun safe is. There’s movement in the camera and I realize that it’s not Devon but Garrett.
I exhale sharply, relief washing over me as I watch him bending down to place two large takeout bags on the porch. His car is parked on the curb behind him, the headlights cutting through the early evening shadows.
Tears prick at my eyes as all the panic quickly leaves my body and it’s replaced with warmth. How did this man know that all we needed right now was a hot meal, because I’m too exhausted to cook? This man, whom I barely know, is going out of his way to be kind to me and the kids. How did I get this lucky?
The doorbell rings, and Alex immediately jumps up and half-jogs to the door. His entire body is tense, as though he’s ready to defend all of us. He opens the mahogany front door quickly.
“I checked the cameras, Alex. It’s okay. It’s just Garrett.”
My phone vibrates again, and this time it’s a text:
“Thought you might not feel like cooking tonight. Dinner’s on the porch. Hope you and the kids enjoy. Miss Betty assured me it’s all your favorites.”
I stare at the screen, my heart doing this ridiculous fluttering thing it has no business doing. He’s thoughtful—too thoughtful—and it catches me off guard.
“Oh, hey, Garrett. Thanks for dinner, man!” Alex calls out.
There’s no response. I glance at the screen of my phone again, and sure enough, Garrett is already halfway down the driveway, climbing back into his car. He didn’t even stick around. He gives a half wave before he closes the door and leaves.
Alex turns back, balancing two large takeout bags and two drink carriers. He kicks the door shut with his foot, smirking at me as he walks back into the living room. “Looks like someone’s boyfriend brought dinner.”
I groan, rolling my eyes as Jaz pops up from under the blanket, suddenly wide awake. “Dinner from the diner?!” she gasps, clapping her hands. “Mr. Garrett’s the best!”
Alex grins, setting the bags and drinks down on the coffee table. “I mean, I’m just saying… the man knows how to score points. Foodandmilkshakes? Classic move.”
“It’s not like that,” I say quickly, reaching for the bags to unpack them. The smell of burgers and fries fills the room, and my stomach growls. I hadn’t even thought about dinner yet.
“Sure, it’s not,” Alex teases, leaning against the back of the couch with his arms crossed. “So he justhappenedto think about dinner for us? Just being a nice guy? Totally platonic?”
“Yes, totally platonic,” I say, my cheeks heating. I can feel them both watching me, their amusement obvious.
“Right, because people just randomly bring food for no reason,” Alex says, exchanging a look with Jaz.
“Yup,” Jaz chimes in, grinning as she grabs her shake from the carrier. “No reason at all. Just a normal, friendly gesture.”
I shake my head, laughing as I roll my eyes. “You two are impossible. He’s just being thoughtful. That’s all.”
I can feel the anxiety setting in as I deflect their teasing. Maybe it’s more than that, but I’m not ready for them to know that yet. I don’t want any of us getting our hopes up or getting attached to a man too fast.
“Uh-huh,” Alex says, biting into a fry. “Thoughtful in aboyfriendkind of way.”
I grab my phone and type out a quick text before they can push me any further.
“Thank you for dinner. The kids love it. So do I. You didn’t have to do that, but I really appreciate it. I hadn’t realized that I didn’t eat all day, this is such a nice gesture.”
I set the phone down and start handing out the food, trying to ignore the knowing looks Alex and Jaz are shooting my way.
“Seriously, though,” Jaz says through a mouthful of fries, “Mr. Garrett is, like, the nicest guy ever. If you don’t marry him, I will.”
I burst out laughing, shaking my head. “You’re twelve, Jaz. And it’s not like that.”
“Yet,” Alex mutters under his breath, earning a laugh from Jaz and a glare from me.