Page 75 of Dancing in the Rain

“Hell, yeah.”

“I have wine or Scotch.” At his raised eyebrow as he followed her to the kitchen, she said, “I bought the Scotch for Nik when she came over the other day.”

One corner of his mouth lifted. “Right. Lagavulin. She has good taste. I’ll have some of that.”

She poured him a healthy shot and a glass of red wine for herself. “So your day was good? She didn’t give you much attitude?” She leaned against the counter and sipped her wine.

“I’m waiting for that. That’ll mean she trusts me, right?”

She smiled. “Right.”

Silence expanded around them.

“How’s your job going?” Drew asked.

She closed her eyes. “Not great. I’ve been doing what I can, but other people are starting to have to step in for me with some of my clients. If Sara goes into hospice tomorrow, I’ll call my boss and tell him I need to take a leave of absence. He’s not going to be happy about that.”

“For Chrissakes, your sister is dying. He has to understand that.”

“He’s not exactly the compassionate type. I do understand. I’ve been gone for a month now and there’s a business to run. Clients are stressed because of their own problems and just want them fixed. I may need to make one more trip to New York to take care of a few things.”

“I can help,” he said. “Whatever you need.”

She nodded. “Thanks.” It did feel reassuring to have him there, saying that. The load of Sara’s illness and her care, responsibility for Chloe, weighed heavily on her. She was strong enough to handle it and she didn’t need anyone else. But having someone to share it with felt amazing. A lessening of the burden.

Which made her want to fling herself into Drew’s strong arms, bury her face against him, and let him hold her. Her throat thickened as she fought back that impulse and she choked down another sip of wine.

Was it weak to feel that way? To want someone to share the burden? But being strong was getting so, so hard. It was exhausting.

“Maybe I should come with you to New York,” he muttered. “And smack some sense into that boss of yours.”

She blinked at him. Warmth spread through her at that kind of support. Even though it was ridiculous. She gave a shaky smile. “I can handle him.”

“I’m sure you can.”

They watched each other for a long, heated moment. Then Peyton bent her head, letting her hair fall over her face.

“I’ll go make sure Chloe’s okay.” Drew tossed back the rest of the Scotch and strode out.

She listened to his footsteps on the stairs, remembering that first day he’d come and how she’d eavesdropped outside Chloe’s room. She was curious how he would deal with her tears, and her fears, but surprisingly…she trusted him to do that.

Chapter 15

Drew read the text message from Peyton Monday afternoon after he finished his workout and sighed deeply. They had moved Sara to the hospice.

He swiped sweat off his forehead with a towel and stared at the phone in his hand, remembering how upset Chloe had been last night after seeing her mom. She’d tried to be brave and not let them know that she was so distressed, tried to hide the fact that she’d been crying when he went up to her room, but it was obvious.

He felt so fucking helpless.

He hadn’t known what to say to her. He had no words. They’d all known this was coming, but as Sara’s health deteriorated it became more real. And more painful. So he’d just put his arms around her and hugged her and said, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

He’d hated leaving her like that, too. The only thing that helped was knowing Peyton was there for her. Peyton’s love for Chloe was undeniable.

He also hated leaving Peyton. Because she was hurting too. And unlike Chloe, he couldn’t hold her and comfort her when he didn’t know what to say.

Fuck.

He’d worked out some of his frustrations in the gym, banging weights around. Now he wanted to smash something else. The urge to go get drunk and start a good bar brawl tightened between his shoulder blades. But no. That wasn’t the way to handle this.

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