I hadn’t had a close friend in years—not since high school. My sister became the closest thing after we made up.
After her breakup with Sawyer.
Ugh.
Heaving out a weary sigh, I spin toward the emergency room and the man that always seems to bring me back to the beginning.
I just hope I’m not looking at the end.
18
SAWYER
“Where did you get this?” I ask, blowing on a spoonful of chowder as Hallie eyes me innocently across the island.
She insisted that she would bring me home. I’d sent Walker a couple of one-handed texts, cussing him out for bailing on me at the hospital.
The bastard hadn’t replied, and I’d been forced to leave with the woman now sitting nervously across from me.
“I made it.” She scoffs and I snort because Iknowwhere it’s from.
“Well, make sure you thank everyone at The Big Chowder for the food next time you see them.”
“You’re seriously no fun.” She rolls her eyes. “Also, you should just saythank you. I could have gone and raided the frozen food section…but I didn’t.”
“Lucky me.”
Her face falls but I don’t have it in me to mince words. I’m hurt and I don’t want to do this right now.
Actually…
“What do you think about goin’ to the winery?” I ask, knowing that if she didn’t invite me to go to dinner she’d definitely never agree to a date, and I just want to really hammer home the finality of this situation.
Make sure there’s no chance for me to wonder aboutwhat might have beenafter she’s gone.
“Grape Expectations?” she squeaks and I nod.
“Yes.”
She blinks in surprise and sets her spoon gently in her bowl. “Like a date or…”
“A date.”
“Are you sure? I mean, is that what you want?” she asks, her tone unreadable and I scoff.
Not anymore.
“Nah, like I said, this was all my mistake.” My Tennessee accent is out in full swing, frustration creeping in as I watch her do the mental acrobatics required to piece this all together.
“Sawyer—”
“Forget it,” I tell her, pushing back on my stool and standing. “Thanks for dinner. I’m gonna go lie down.” I hold up my injured hand for reference. “I need rest, right? Doctor’s orders. And don’t worry, I told Walker I’ll be taking some time off—maybe go see my sister so you’ll have the place to yourself.” Setting my bowl in the sink, I say, “Thanks for the ride home. And dinner.”
I turn and head for the stairs, acutely aware that she doesn’t say anything and she doesn’t try to stop me.
Well, I guess that answers that.
HALLIE
