Page 105 of Callahan

I noticed Hugh and Teresa’s car parked in front of the bakery as I came out of the diner with our to-go order.

Yeah, I’d been weak and fucked Lainey in the shower. I knew it was wrong, and yet when I was with her, I didn’t care.

“Hey guys!” I called as I approached their car where Teresa fumbled with the car seat buckle while Hugh retrieved the diaper bag from the backseat.

“Well, hello, Adam!” Mrs. O’Brien returned my greeting with a big smile at the same time her husband grumbled, “You really need to tell Lainey she doesn’t need to send all this stuff. We already have everything he needs.”

“I told you,” Teresa scolded, “I don’t want her to think we’re overstepping.”

Even though neither were talking to me, I threw in my two cents anyway.

“I don’t think she’d think that at all. She’d probably appreciate only having to send his bottles.”

“Do you think so?”

“Absolutely.”

She pulled her grandson from the seat and beamed down at him.

“Good.”

I looped the handle of the plastic bag with our food around my left wrist and pulled the keys from my pocket with my right hand.

“Come on, let’s go inside.”

****

Lainey

I’d never had shower sex before today.

Ten out of ten would recommend, but now I was left hurrying to make myself presentable before the O’Briens arrived.

After towel-drying my hair, I threw it up in a scrunchie and quickly got dressed while Adam went to pick up our takeout order from Clay’s.

At five minutes to seven, I decided to make my way downstairs to wait for Hugh and Teresa, like we’d agreed to last time. But I’d just finished putting on my shoes when there was a brief knock at the door, then Hugh walked in, followed by Teresa holding Conor, then Adam.

“Hi!” I exclaimed as I reached for my son.

Teresa handed him over without hesitation as she responded with a cheery, “Hello!”

“Everything go okay today?”

“Everything went perfect.” The older woman smiled brightly at her grandson, who returned her smile when she tickled his chin and proclaimed, “Because we have the most perfect grandbaby in the world. Yes, we do!”

Hugh said, “So, Adam, I heard you’re renting the Garcia’s place while they visit Arizona.”

“Wow, word sure gets around fast,” he murmured.

“Welcome to Haven Springs,” Hugh replied with a grin.

Teresa added, “I have no idea why anyone would go to Arizona during the summer, but that’s good for you, I guess.”

“People who have grandchildren,” Hugh reminded his wife, then turned back to Adam. “Does that mean you’re moving out?”

“No, not until we arrest Lainey’s letter writer.”

He nodded. “Good. Still no luck?”

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