“Taxi.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. Now she’s in my home, I’m not letting her leave.
“We’re about to have dinner. There’s plenty of food.”
She nods. “Food would probably be a good idea.”
I exchange a glance with Patrick.
“It’s the first Christmas without him.”
I place my hand over hers. “I know it’s tough, Lauren.”
She nods. “I don’t have anyone.”
“That’s not true. You have me and Sophie. We love you.”
Tears well in her eyes. “I miss him so much.”
“So do we.”
I close my eyes when Sophie speaks. She shouldn’t see this, but Lauren needs to know we’re here for her.
Patrick places plates of meat on the table. “I hope you guys are hungry.” He sits on the other side of me and reaches under the table, giving my knee a reassuring squeeze.
It’s nice to be taken care of—it’s something I don’t want to get used to in case it disappears overnight, but while keeping an eye on Lauren, I eat.
The more she eats, the more she seems to sober up.
“I haven’t had barbecue in forever,” she moans. “This is so good.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Patrick smiles at me, and I force a smile back.
After dinner and dessert, Lauren leans back and pats her stomach. “I needed that.”
Sophie and Lauren chat as the sun sets, and when the sky grows dark, I’ve had enough of sitting around.
I clap my hands together. “Why don’t we go inside and have some coffee?”
Lauren follows me inside, and I pause as we enter the living room.
“Stay here the night. You can sleep in the spare room.”
She shakes her head. “No, I don’t want to interfere.”
“You’re not. It’s Christmas and you're family.”
Her eyelashes flutter as she shifts her gaze to Patrick. “And Doctor Dreamy?”
“Let me take care of that.”
She nods. “I’m not sure how much longer I can stand.”
As if on queue, she slumps and Patrick catches her before she falls. He scoops her up bridal style and looks at me. “Spare room?”
Lauren runs her red-painted fingernails down his cheek. “You’re gorgeous. Cassie needs her head read if she hasn’t just snapped you up yet.”
“Is that right?” Patrick’s bemused tone tells me he at least isn’t taking her seriously. My burning cheeks say otherwise.
