Page 7 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"Occupational hazard."

Despite myself, the corner of my mouth lifts. Through the doorway, a woman I vaguely remember from high school glances in my direction. Our eyes meet, and she looks away too quickly. The tiny smile disappears.

"I'm serious, Julian. They look at me as though they've seen a ghost. Lily's ghost."

He's quiet for a second.

"You were identical twins, Maddy. Most of these people knew Lily. Some of them probably haven't seen you in years. Try not to take it personally. They don't mean anything by it. They're just shocked."

I let my head fall back against the wall.

"I love and hate how annoyingly right you are all the time."

"Mostly love."

"Today it's close."

His soft laugh reaches me across the miles and makes something inside me loosen.

"I wish you were here."

"Me too."

"You have the restaurant to run."

"I know. But I'm still here for you."

My throat tightens.

"Thanks, Julian."

"Always."

Someone calls my name from the living room. I look through the doorway and see an older couple waiting near the front door, coats in hand. "I've got to go. People are leaving."

"Call me later."

"I will."

"Maddy?"

"Yeah?"

"Take care of yourself."

I swallow. "I'm trying."

I hang up and walk back into the living room. The older woman hugs me tightly. For one uncomfortable second, she simply looks at my face.

"Oh, sweetheart."

There it is again. That look. I smile because I know she means well.

"Thank you for coming."

The next goodbye follows. Then another. And another. By the time the front door finally closes behind the last guest, the house feels twice as large and half as warm.

Mom rests her forehead against the door. "Please tell me we don't have to feed anyone else."