Wes: I’m here if you need me.
It’s the only thing I can think of to say, but when he doesn’t respond right away I tuck my phone back in my pocket. The nagging feeling in the back of my mind is telling me I should somehow do more. I just don’t know what.
CHAPTER 29
Bailey
“Shut up, Vern!”Jerry Lee calls out as soon as I enter the grooming salon to bring Sutton the coffee she requested.
As soon as she sees me she lets out a loud groan, and reaches out for the cup. “Thank you so much. I owe you my life. Seriously.”
I shake my head. “No you don’t, but you are making me question if we should offer delivery.”
“That’s not a bad idea, actually.” She raises her eyebrows over her cup and takes a healthy sip. “You need to get a dog for me to groom so we can make it even.”
I chuckle. “I don’t know about that.”
“Why not? It’s a built-in best friend. Bennet is always there for me and it’s the best. He could use another friend, too.”
“Duke not enough for him? And what about Bruno?”
“He wants even more friends, he told me.”
“Did he? With his voice? That he definitely has?” I narrow my eyes even more at each question.
“Listen, you would understand if you had a dog.”
I’ve never really considered getting a pet, but something about the way she’s enticing me does make me consider it. I think about the way Bruno comes up to me and sits there. I think about how happy Jameson and Sutton seem when watching their dogs play.
“I’ll think about it,” I tell her honestly.
“Good. Oh, also I was going to ask you about Thanksgiving.”
I look around trying to check for a calendar because I’m pretty sure I must be missing a chunk of time if we’re talking about Thanksgiving. Last I checked it was the middle of October.
“Uh, what about Thanksgiving?” I ask.
“Do you have any plans for it? Going to see any family or anything?”
Immediately I shake my head, vehemently. “No, most definitely not.”
“Would you want to come to our house? Last year we really didn’t do anything because it wasn’t long after…you know,” she whispers, referencing the sudden passing of her father in law. “I want to make this year better, and hope to have a full table. I know Emily will love that.”
“And by having a full table you mean you’ll be inviting…” My voice trails off because she knows exactly who I’m talking about.
“You’ve been getting along with him lately, don’t even try to hide it.” She smirks.
“What? Do you havesourcestoo?” I roll my eyes.
“Of course I do.” She smiles. “Everyone in town knew my business when it came to Jameson last year, so it’s only fair.”
“That wasn’t my fault,” I mumble.
“So will you come?”
I groan. “Maybe. I don’t really do groups of people. You’re lucky I even went to your wedding.”
“I know deepdeepdown you care for me.”
