Page 133 of Movers and Shakers

“No. Ruth and Tom host something every week. I don’t always go, but they tend to beg me if I don’t. They’ll understand if I tell them something came up.”

“No, you should join them.”

“I’m not losing any time with you. Why don’t you join me? We can enjoy the benefits of you being Rose a bit.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

“I doubt you will. They all invite different people each time. I swear, finding love made them all sosocial.It’s weird.”

“I’m sure they’re happy.”

“They are, and they’d be even happier to see you.”

I bit my lip as I thought about it. I needed the distraction. If I thought too hard about the tour, I knew I would feel the weight of everything on me again.

“Let’s do it,” I said. “I’ll hop on a plane right now.”

“And I’ll be waiting for you.”

Barry

I waited in the airport, watching the exit closely. I was sure Rose would be walking out those doors, but I had prepared just in case Lila showed up.

But then I saw a flash of long, red hair and my heart skipped a beat. She looked just like everyone else. When I got out of my car to wave her over, a smile broke across her face. She burst into a run, slamming into me to give a tight hug.

It felt right to have her in my arms and I didn’t want to let her go.

“Did you come in on a regular flight?” I asked.

“Still first class, but yes. No one even batted an eye at me. It helps that Lila is supposed to be practicing for her tour and that I let Juno join me.”

“Where is she?”

“Flirting with a flight attendant. She knew you were waiting on me, so she let me go. And family dinners aren’t her thing. She has free rein to do whatever she wants tonight.”

“Can I also have that?”

“You’d do what you want anyway. But if you’re talking about free rein withme,then yes.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” I checked my watch. “We should go before Ruth starts blowing up my phone.”

I opened the car door for her, which made her cheeks darken.

Now,thatwas one of my favorite things to see.

Rose and I were the last to arrive. I could see Tom’s newer car parked next to Ruth’s and Knox’s.

When we walked in, the house smelled warm and inviting and the cool air was a welcome reprieve from the near-summer heat outside.

Ruth was cleaning off the dining room table when we walked in. “Oh, hi, Barry. Welcome in.” When she saw Rose, she paused. “I didn’t know you were bringing a guest.”

“Is that okay?” I asked. “Normally, you say I can bring who I want to.”

“Yeah, of course, I just thought it would be . . . never mind.”

I opened my mouth to question her, but I was interrupted by Max running into the room.

“Uncle Barry’s here!” he yelled. “And he has a friend!”

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