Page 104 of Back in the Saddle

‘We did have the fire to keep us warm then.’

Her smile widened. ‘True, but body heat is better.’

Hunter reached to her face and pushed a strand of hair from her forehead. ‘No arguments from me.’

She knew they should’ve talked more, but it didn’t seem like a good time. She had tried, gently, asking how he felt on the way here.

He had shrugged it off. It was plain he didn’t want to talk about his father, and she understood.

Everyone grieved differently.

Some people turned into walking and talking memorials, reminiscing about their loved ones, spending their days recalling memories of their lives. Others reached for a bottle or other substances. Some people, like her, turned to therapy. Or decided to make something of themselves, like when she went to medical school.

And some, it seemed, turned to sex. Numbing the pain with physical intimacy, reminding themselves they were alive.

She didn’t judge him for the way he decided to handle his grief.

Maybe this was the way she could help him, through sex and just being there.

Maybe it was as simple as that.

CHAPTER FORTY

Caroline

ERIN:This is just sad, Car. You really weren’t invited anywhere?

CAROLINE:I told you. I don’t really have friends here. Amira and Jake finally took the plunge and went out on a few dates. They’re away to Amira’s parents’ lake cabin in Michigan. They have it all to themselves as her parents went to Hawaii.

ERIN:Couldn’t you tag along with Anna and Gian? They’re going to a charity masquerade ball, right?

CAROLINE:Ha, ha. Because I love to third wheel so much.

ERIN:They’re your aunts.

CAROLINE:Doesn’t make it any less third wheeling.

ERIN:True. What about Hunter?

CAROLINE:What about Hunter?

ERIN:Didn’t he want to spend NYE with you? I find it odd.

CAROLINE:Erin, his father just died. Besides, I’m perfectly capable of spending a night on my own. His grief’s still fresh. I’m trying to keep my distance a little bit.

ERIN:Riiiight … Trying *rolling eyes*. It doesn’t sound like either of you is putting much effort into doing that. I must just assume it’s a very difficult, tactical mission.

CAROLINE:You’re the worst.

ERIN:You know you love me. Anyway, I’m away. I sneaked out of the party to chat to you, but Rithvik is texting me asking if I’m trying to dodge the midnight kiss.

CAROLINE:Have fun! And Happy New Year to you both.

ERIN:I have a feeling it’s going to be a year to remember.

Caroline closed the app and put her phone on the coffee table. She was perfectly content spending the night on Anna and Gian’s sofa, armed with a bowl of popcorn, a bottle of champagne and a remote.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Dayswas the first movie up in her queue. There was something oddly comforting in rewatching the same romcoms. A little after 10 p.m., she was trying to decide betweenThe Proposaland27 Dresseswhile waiting for a new batch of popcorn to finish popping in the microwave, when she heard a loud knock on the front door. She jumped, startled. Trying to remember where Gian said they kept the baseball bat, she slowly approached the door.

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