ly

e the water stains because I know my roof has a few leaks, but there’s nothing I can do about

y elderly neighbor, and she’s probably just wanting to check on me and make su

seconds go by, and I hear Austin’s voice on the o

tle dizzy. What is Austin doing here

e’s no use. He’s not leaving until he

jerk it open. “Really? Hold your horses, Austin. I’m a lot slower than I used to be, so take a chill. I me

rt his feelings, but he hides it quickly

e, and I pull the door a little to block his view. “Look, now

from closing the door. “Nice try.

ace. “What are you even doing here, Aust

don’t care where you live, not like you’re meaning. And second of all, the reason I never

k, let me put these down in the kitchen. Then I have dinner in the car

, and you’re not going to leave just because I tell you to.

y these bags while running a 5K and wouldn’t even lose his breath. He’s that in shape. He shake

ce, but I know I’m not successful. “D

extra pickles

for the bags in his arms. “Here, I

back. “Really?” he

re I was pregnant, he never let me lift a finger when we hung out together. Since I got pregnant, I’m lucky he lets me walk on my own two feet. I shouldn’t be bothe

her that or I know I’m going to look around at the barely furnished living room, the pe

and then comes straigh

and he walks with me to the couc

t you situated and then I’m

in my back. He puts a pillow on the coffee table and then picks my feet off the fl

ect myself. “I’m not a dog. You can’t just g

From this point forward, things are going to be different between the two of us. I’m going to go

n a minute and he’s walking back in with a familiar bag from Red’s Diner. It’s big and stuffed with Styrofoam plates,

t bring the cinnamon Blaze cake. You said you had to quit eating sweets, so I

offended because for the last month, this is exactly how I’ve eaten every meal. I take a bite a

ate lunch. I’m going to put aw

d walks into the kitchen. I take a few bites before I take the time to ask him the ques

ps putting stuf

g else, I eat some more of

force my eyes to the empty plate

ake my head. “I’m done. I’m stuffed. Thank

his in the fridge so

elly as I lean my head back on t

ing it. Things have never been awkward between us, but I can’t help but feel that our relationship has been strai

y and try not to fidget. “Okay, so are yo

ch as he leans forward, undoes the laces on his boots, slides his shoes off

e at me with that challenging look that he’s mastered the last si

eeps staring at me with tha

u’re not st

It’s in my SUV, but I’ll get it out in

pull it from his hands. “Aus

. “Yes,

er. “Bu

toward me as he puts a hand on my knee.

“I can take c

ably can’t even make out what I’m saying, but I can’t stop rambling. “Why does no one think I can take care of myself? I’m doing the best that I can. I know I need

my head on his shoulder and let my body melt into his. He kisses the top of my head. “

s rubbing my back with big strokes

ne day at a time. You’re my best friend in the whole world. You know me better than anyone, and you know that if I didn’t

“I found out today

best mom. And I’m going to probably end up in jail the first time so

is neck. My hands grip at his waist, and I burrow into him

lways. You just have to let me in and let me be here for you.” He leans back on the

ubles melt away and to have someone else bear the brunt of it all. I let my eyes close, an