Page 66 of From This Moment (After We Fall 4)
“Yeah. I needed someone to talk to and I was panicking about coming here last night. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m okay with that. You trust them?”
“Totally. I also mentioned you at Wine with Widows.”
“Wine with what?”
I smiled. “Wine with Widows. It’s what I call my little Wednesday night therapy group. But trust is sacred with those ladies.”
“Jeez, I feel like I should have more friends or something. You’re so popular.”
“Haha.” I swatted his arm. “I’m not really that social at all, especially since Drew died. I just tend to have the occasional meltdown in front of my small circle of trust.”
“Am I in your circle of trust now?”
I smiled at him. “You’re at the heart of it.”
He nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”
We chatted a little while longer since Abby was playing so nicely, and were still sitting there when Lenore and Doc returned from their walk.
“Don’t you two look cozy,” Lenore commented. Was there a note of suspicion in her voice? Behind her sunglasses, her eyes seemed to dart back and forth between us.
I straightened up in my chair, suddenly aware of the way we were leaning toward each other, our heads practically touching. “Well, I should get going.” I stood up and called to Abby. “Thanks so much for having her.”
“Of course.” When Abby came over, Lenore tucked her beneath one arm. “We love our little Abby to pieces.”
I nodded. “See you soon. Bye, Doc. Bye, Wes.”
The men said goodbye, and I herded Abby up the steps and around the house to the driveway. I was backing out when I realized Lenore hadn’t asked us to stay for Sunday dinner, which she always did. Was it because she sensed something going on between Wes and me? A sweat broke out on my back.
No. I was imagining things, wasn’t I? It had been an intense twenty-four hours and my sensory system was on overload. Paranoia was creeping in. Probably Lenore simply forgot to ask, or maybe they were just having leftovers from yesterday, or maybe since she’d hosted us the night before, she wanted a little break from company. That had to be it. And I wouldn’t have stayed anyway.
I put it out of my head.
Thirteen
WES
My dad went up to the house, and my mother dropped into the chair Hannah had vacated a moment earlier.
“Any plans tonight?” she asked breezily.
“No.”
“You should get out more.” Her tone was reproachful. “You’re never going to meet anyone if you’re always hanging around the house with your family.”
“I’m fine, Mom. I like my family. And I haven’t seen them in a while.”
“Don’t get me wrong, dear, family is the most important thing in life, but aren’t you thinking of starting your own? After all, you’re not getting any younger.”
I gave her a wry look. “Thanks.”
“Why don’t you let me introduce you to someone?”
“No.”
“She’s so lovely.” My mother went on as if I hadn’t even spoken. “Beautiful, smart, very poised and mature.”
