Page 140 of Where We Stay

Blair takes a breath before continuing. “That doesn’t mean I’m not scared about what this changes.”

“It doesn’t have to change anything, baby,” I assure her. “I promise.”

“Dean.” Her voice softens. “You can’t promise that.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are.” Blair reaches for my hand. “But don’t promise me nothing will change. Just promise you’ll talk to me instead of shutting me out or deciding what I can handle.”

I turn my hand beneath hers and thread our fingers together.

“I can do that,” I tell her.

“Good.”

Blair lifts her free hand to my face and kisses me.

I came here half-expecting Courtney’s return to send her running.

Instead, Blair is asking me to let her face it beside me.

For the first time since I saw that silhouette on my porch, I can breathe.

Twenty Seven

Blair

Courtney’s back.

Two words, and somehow, they’ve taken up the entire fucking room.

I stare at the closed front door for a solid minute after Dean leaves, like it might explain what happens now.

Apparently, falling for a man means inheriting the ghosts of his past.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of the situation. I care about Aspen, so of course I want her to have a relationship with her mom if that’s what she wants. But from everything I’ve heard about Courtney, I’m not naïve enough to assume that’s the only reason she’s back in town.

I’m trying really hard not to be a judgmental bitch.

It isn’t working.

I take a long, hot shower, hoping it will wash away some of my anxiety.

That doesn’t work either.

By the time I’m dressed again, my phone starts ringing on the coffee table. My stomach gives its usual stupid drop before I see the name.

JERRY

For once, relief follows just as quickly.

“Jesus Christ, you’re alive,” Jerry says when I answer.

Hearing his voice loosens something inside me.

“Unfortunately,” I reply with a laugh.

“Good. I was about three days away from filing a missing person’s report.”