Page 122 of Falling Together

I don’t want to go to an empty house. Most of my stuff is at his place, and being there on my own makes my sadness even worse.

Stupid hormones.

“You know it’s well past closing time, right?” Sam’s voice startles me out of my wallowing.

“Sorry. I was working on my notes from today’s session with Gail.”

“She seems like she’ll be a good fit for the kids,” Sam says.

“I agree.”

“Why don’t you put that off until morning and come have dinner with me and Joey.”

“I—” My gut reaction is to say no. That I have someone to get home to, but I really don’t want to be alone right now. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Positive. There will be plenty of food, and Max has a new book he’ll want to read to you.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Besides, Joey would not be happy if I didn’t bring you with me.”

I smile at him as I slip into my coat. It’s just like her to worry. I’ve been fielding texts from all of my friends this last week.

“I’ll follow you over,” I say, wrapping my scarf around my neck.

“No backing out.” He points a finger at me.

“I won’t.”

I slide my way into my truck and blast the heat. The first snowfalls have always been my favorite. There would be nothing stopping me from jumping on Queenie and going for a ride. The cold flakes hitting my face as we ride my favorite trails isn’t something I’ll get to feel for a while.

I try not to let my thoughts spiral back to Grant. I don’t want to be terrible company tonight, even if Joey knows everything that’s going on.

I pull up beside Sam and slide out of the car. Max is already standing at the front door, waiting for us.

“Hey, bud. Look who I brought for dinner.” Sam scoops Max up and plants a kiss on his cheek.

“Aunt Georgia. Can I read you my new book?”

Sam shakes his head. “Let’s wait until after dinner, okay?”

“Okay. It’s a good one,” he tells me.

I tickle his stomach as I walk inside. “I can’t wait.”

Joey walks over, helping me with my coat. “I thought I was going to have to come down to the barn to convince you to come for dinner. Sam did a good job.”

“You can thank me later.” He smiles at her before giving her a quick peck. “C’mon, Max. Let’s let Mommy and Aunt Georgia talk and we can play with Walter.”

“Okay.”

Max gives me a hug before running into his room with Sam following behind him.

“Something smells good in here,” I say, settling onto the kitchen chair.

“I hope you want some chili tonight.”

“Anything I don’t have to cook is fine by me,” I say.