Page 48 of Someone to Remember
I can’t spend the night here. That would be crazy! And inappropriate. And a million other things. But the thought of waking my sleeping kids, driving home and battling them into bed is so repulsive that I find myself considering Brad’s kind offer. “Jack and Ella would be up all night if I woke them now.”
“Mine would be, too. So you’ll stay?”
“It’s weird, right? For me to stay here?”
“How so? We’re friends, your kids are asleep, and it’d be a nightmare to move them at this point. No big deal.”
“Right. No big deal.”
“I’ll get some blankets for the kids and make sure the guest room is set for you and Josh.”
“Thank you.”
While he goes upstairs, I text my older sister, Tracy.Hey—just FYI we’re hanging at a friend’s house tonight. Didn’t want you to panic if you come by in the AM and we’re not there.
Thanks for letting me know. Which friend?
I think long and hard before I reply, knowing that whatever I tell her will lead to more questions.A new one.
I’ve said very little to anyone, even my sisters, about the friendship I’ve formed with Brad. Since Sam introduced us at one of the hearings in the criminal case, we’ve kept in close touch, but no one really knows that. I can’t bear the possibility that they’d think it’s too soon for me to have male friends. I know that’s not reasonable, because they both want the best of everything for me, but for some reason, I haven’t told them.
Am I allowed to ask questions?
Not now!
Fine. Tomorrow, then. There’ll be questions.
Thanks for the warning, now go away.
Hey, Ang?
WHAT?
If you’re happy, I’m happy. Have fun.
Just a friend. Relax.
Love you.
Love you, too, busybody.
My sisters are my best friends, and there’s no way I would’ve gotten through suddenly losing Spencer without them and their families. But along with world-class support comes curiosity about what happens next for me and my kids. The last thing in the world I’m ready for is anything romantic.
I like being with Brad. He’s easy to talk to, and he’s going through the same thing I am. That’s all this is.
I’ve wandered out to check on the kids when my phonebuzzes with another text that I assume is also from Tracy, who can be like a bloodhound when she catches a scent on the wind.
But it’s not Tracy. It’s Luke, the doctor/widowed father of four I met through the Wild Widows.Hey, can you chat? Crazy day around here. Could use a good vent.
I’ve texted with him a lot since we met, and he’s asked me to get coffee, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Can’t tonight. Maybe tomorrow?
Sure, sounds good. Have a good night.
You, too.
I no sooner send that text than Brad comes downstairs with blankets that he puts over my sleeping kids and a rolled-up something he hands to me.
