Page 31 of Surrender

“It would be fun to try.” She giggles, and suddenly,we’reseventeen again at a sleepover and plotting our future as sisters-in-law.

My stomach flips.

“Anyway, I wanted to ask you to come out for a drink with me after thissnowclears up. I wasthinkingFriday night at The Rocks.”

“Oh. That’s really nice of you, but I have kids, and it’s just me here.”

“I know you have kids, Whit. I told you those boys gossip. I have a fantastic babysitter who’d be more than happy to watch them for us for a couple of hours.”

“I—” Before I can decline again, she cuts me off.

“It’d be great to see you, and this way you can meet her too so if you everneeda night off, you’ll have someone to call.”

What’s the harm? A night off sounds nice, and I don’t know when I’ll get another opportunity. Plus, without Alice here, it’d be nice to establish an old friend in town. And I’ve missed Bree.

“Okay. I think that sounds great, but let’s make it next week. I need a little bit more time to get settled in.”

“You’ll come?”

I lean down and brush my palm against Bennett’s soft sandy hair. “I can give you my number, and you can text me the address and time.”

“I can’t wait. Give me back to Jack, and I’ll text you.”

I rattle off my number, and once she reads it back, I pass the phone to Jack. A smirklingerson his lips before he turns without a word and disappears around the corner.

Something else to look forward to joins my mental checklist.

Job? Check.

House? Working on it.

Friends?Check.

Returning to Fairview Valley might not be so bad after all.

* * *

Lunch was an awkward, quiet affair.

Jack returned from his shower, damp hair pushed back off his forehead, just as the frittata was ready. Once again, he held Bennett. We ate in mostly silence, punctuated by stilted bits of conversation.

Did you and Bree make plans?

Yep, we’re going out next week.

Great.

The minute Lucy finished, I put Bennett down for a nap, bundled Lucy in her winter gear, and took her to play outside. By the time we returned from our freezing trip into the icy cold, Jack had disappeared, so Lucy and I decided to join Bennett for a nap.

I rouse sometime later to silence. The room is black from the early sunset and heavy curtains. If I didn’t have a clock, I could convince myself it was midnight and just stay in bed. This awkward dance can only take place for so long before it becomes obvious we’re avoiding one another, and as the guest, I think it’s my place to break the ice.

“Lucy?”

Rustling comes from Bennett’s portable crib. A moment later, his breathing evens out in sleep. I reach across the expanse of the king-sized bed, fingertips stretching to the other side, but come up empty.

“Lucy?” I call louder. My feet hit the hardwood with an audible slap. I pass Bennett, checking he’s still asleep, and I’m out the door in two seconds. Strands of hair tickle my cheeks as I careen around the corner.

“She’s in here.” Jack’s soft voice sounds from the kitchen.

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