Page 44 of Dancing in the Rain

“I know.”

“Are you staying here until…?”

“God. I don’t know. I don’t want to leave, but my boss is freaking out.”

Nik nodded and balled up the sheets. “He’s a jerk.”

Peyton grinned. “Yeah, he is.” Her smile faded. “I’m trying to take care of things as much as I can. There’s a meeting I’ve postponed that can’t be put off forever, and things I need to be in the office to do. My staff has questions and problems to solve.” She sighed. “Maybe now we have hospice care coming in, I could go back…but I really don’t want to leave her. Not now.”

“Ugh.” Nik picked up a pillow. “Areyouokay?”

“Of course.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I have to be.”

Nik shot her a warm look of sympathy. “I’ll do anything,” she said gently. “Just say what you need. Anytime.”

“I know. Thank you.”

They hadn’t lived in the same city for a few years, but they were still best friends, staying in touch online, having girls’ weekends in New York, and lately Peyton’s more frequent visits home to check in on Sara.

“We should do a night out,” Nik said. “Get the old gang together. I’ll make some calls.”

“That would be fun.”

Drew appeared in the bedroom door. “Ready?”

“You really don’t need to do this,” Peyton said.

“Girl, how else do you think we’re going to get this bed down there?” Nik demanded. “Be sensible, not your usual stubborn self.”

Drew grinned. “I like you,” he said to Nik.

“Most people do,” she said modestly.

Peyton pursed her lips and regarded them balefully. What the hell?

“I might need some help just to guide the mattress down the stairs.” He pulled it off the bed and stood it on its side, then lifted it and carried it out the door. Peyton stared.

“You bet.” Nik tossed pillowcases onto the pile of bedding. She followed him out of the room. Peyton trailed along behind, biting her lip as Drew slid the mattress down the stairs.

“You’re so strong,” Nik said.

Peyton rolled her eyes.

“Where’s this going?” Drew asked.

“I’ll show you the den.” Peyton hurried down the stairs. “But we can leave it in the hall while we get the box spring down.”

Drew nodded.

The bottom half of the bed was a little trickier, but between them all, mostly Drew, they got it down and set up again in the den. Drew lifted the mattress back on and helped Nik make the bed while Peyton arranged things in the nightstand and plugged in a lamp.

“There.” She stood and surveyed the room. “All set.” She tipped her head at Drew. “Thank you. Nik was right…we couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Hey, glad to help. It’s the least I can do. I guess I should get going, though. I’ll go say goodbye to Chloe and Sara.”

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