Page 97 of Stuck With You
SARAH: Think of it as an experiment.
I laugh, then hear a gasp. All three guys are peering in my doorway, but they run, letting out a whoop and a whistle.
“Get your asses to work, or you all are seriously fired.”
“Nah. You need us now more than ever.”
I rest back in my chair. I don’t know what in the hell I’m doing, so they’re not wrong.
I just really need this not to ruin me like the last time I trusted someone enough to let them into my world. I more than let her into my world. I was building a life around her. That is, until she told me I shouldn’t bother.
Chapter 22
SARAH
“I’ve missed you so much.” I hug Roxie tight as Ollie squeezes between us, looping his arms around her legs.
“Auntie Rox, c-c-come see my planes!” He grabs her hand and tugs her away from me.
“Just a second, little man.” Roxie ties her long blonde waves back, twisting her hair into a bun. “I need to see this little dame. She’s grown so much.” She takes Frankie from my arms, holding her in the air, and then brings her close to kiss her cheek.
“You go play. I’ll let Grover out and grab your things from the car.”
“Sounds good, Mama.” Rox sits on the floor next to Ollie with Frankie in her lap.
Grover trots to the back door. I open it, slipping on my shoes.
While Grover roams the backyard searching for the perfect spot, I throw Roxie’s bag over my shoulder and lift the box full of clothes and accessories my mom sent with her.
I push the door closed with my hip and movement across the street catches my eye. Slade’s garage door lifts slowly, and I watch as he rounds his truck but stops.
I lift my hand and wave. He gives a slight nod in return before climbing in.
We haven’t seen each other since we spent the weekend at his house, but we’ve texted a few times. I was surprised when he messagedme about Thanksgiving. I thought maybe he and Krissy would forget, but in typical Slade form, he told me we were coming.
I hear the rumble of his truck as I head inside.
“Hey.”
I twist at that low voice. Slade’s truck sits in the street at the end of my driveway with his window down.
“I’ll see you tomorrow around noon.”
I laugh and salute. “I’m bringing a pie.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
I glare at him. “Listen, it was one cookie snafu. You need to let that go.”
Those eyes linger from underneath the rim of his hat for only a moment, and it’s possible I see a hint of a smile. Then he nods once, rolls up his window, and drives off.
I smile, knowing my mom would be proud. It feels really nice to be making friends. Besides Rox, it’s been a long time, but I think that might be what’s happening—Slade and I are friends. After tomorrow, maybe I’ll have a few more.
I pull the door open, kicking off my shoes to the sound of giggles.
I set Roxie’s things in the hallway, and she’s lying on the floor with Frankie on top of her shins. She holds her little arms out and lifts her legs, as if Frankie is an airplane. She squeals, and a line of drool drips from her mouth onto Roxie’s shirt.
“Ok, that might be enough of that,” Roxie says, rolling up and sitting her on the floor.
