Page 43 of Make Me Trust Again
“Still, you must see him occasionally.”
The image of a shirtless Chase standing in front of me, the sun making the thin layer of sweat glisten on his golden skin, makes my stomach roll. My cheeks suddenly feel warm.
“Rose?”
“Umm… Sometimes?” That has both of the women’s brows rising. “Well, not really. He mostly stays in his house.”
If he’s not working outside in the yard and letting my son play with his dog, that is.
“Only my brother can manage to have a next-door neighbor who doesn’t see him once,” Rebecca tsks. “I swear, between my two idiot brothers, I’m not even surprised I’m starting to get premature grays.”
“Hey, at least he has a neighbor.” Savannah giggles. “That’s something.”
The doorbell chimes as a couple of moms enter the café with their kids. Savannah slips out of her chair, grabbing her coffee. “I’m going back.”
“You guys still on for the Fourth?”
Savannah nods. “Yes. I’m not sure about Daniel; he mentioned meeting his friends, but the rest of us should come. Do you need us to bring anything?”
“I don’t think so. I’ll text you if I remember something.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Savannah waves as she slips to the back. I put the last of the mugs on the shelf, and when I turn around, I find Rebecca watching me. “You should come.”
“Come where?”
“To the lake. We’re having a Fourth of July party there. Savannah and Blake will be there along with the kids, and so will Emmett and Kate, and a few other people we know. Take Kyle with you. The kids can play, and we can have some drinks. That is, if you don’t have any plans.”
“Oh, with everything else going on, it honestly didn’t even cross my mind.”
My parents spent their Fourth of July at our country club with their friends. Last year, we joined them since John’s parents and some of our friends were also members. Friends I haven’t seen or talked to in months, ever since I left John. So much for our friendships. Then again, there was a reason I didn’t try too much to reach out either. I didn’t want more people telling me I was making a mistake by divorcing John.
John.
No, there was no way I’d join them this year. John would be there, and he is the last person I want to see.
“Think about it, the invitation stands, and don’t forget about the book club coming n-next w—” she stutters, before going into a coughing fit.
She bends forward, as she coughs into her elbow, her whole body shaking with the force of it.
“Okay, that’s it.”
I go to her, gently tapping her back, until her coughing finally subsides. She straightens; her eyes are watery, cheeks red.
“You’re going home.”
Rebecca opens her mouth to protest, but I lift my finger. “I don’t care. You’re going home, and I don’t want to hear one more word. You’re clearlynotfeeling fine. You’re coughing like you just smoked a pack, and you’re all flushed.”
“It’s from the coughing fit,” she mutters, but I’m not even sure she believes it. “I don’t have time to be sick.”
“Well, I don’t have time to be sick either, so please, just go home, and take it easy for a few days. And if you don’t, I’m just going to call Miguel and tell him to come and pick you up.”
“Fine. I’m going, I’m going.” Rebecca groans, rolling her eyes, but grabs her bag. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Just for you to stay home until you’re healthy again.”
CHAPTER TEN
