I rolled my eyes. “I’ll stay with you for a few days, and listen to your grand ideas, but understand something, I’ve exhausted all my options.”
His eyes twinkled and the corner of his mouth curled up. “I know for a fact there’s one you’ve never considered.”
I wasn’t sure where he was going with this, but I’d humor him simply because he really looked like he believed he could fix this.
“All right, I’ll hear you out.”
“Thank you…now finish your pizza, and we can get out of here. Do you have work?”
“Not for the next couple of days.”
“Then this will be perfect.”
Lukas stayed with me while I ate. I showered while he packed up things for Bubbles. He never complained that there was too much cat food or treats. I packed a small bag with stuff that would last me a few days. After I got Bubbles into his cat carrier, I locked up and followed Lukas down the stairs.
“Everything okay?” Maggie inquired when we stepped outside where a car was waiting for us. I wasn’t sure if Lukas had driven here or ordered it.
“Hey, Maggie. Yeah, just going to hang out at Lukas’s for a few days.”
She narrowed her eyes and inched closer to me, her hand cupped my cheek. “You sure, Sammy?”
I didn’t want to lie to her, but I wasn’t ready to talk about this—at least not before I spoke to Ben and Natalie.
“Don’t worry so much, Maggie.”
Lukas rested a hand on my lower back. “He’s in good hands.”
Maggie looked over at Lukas. “I’m sure he is. I’ll see you in a few days.”
I was tired by the time we made it to Lukas’s. The thought of unloading all this on my best friends tonight wasn’t an option for me. So, I asked Lukas if tomorrow would be okay.
“That works well. I can give Winston better notice that way. Why don’t you see if they can make it?”
I nodded and opened our Power of Three group chat.
Are you both free tomorrow night for dinner at Lukas’s?
Two sets of triple dots appeared simultaneously with Natalie beating out Ben.
On Lancaster Island?????
Followed by Ben’s,Are you ok?
Yes on Lancaster Island, and I need to talk to you guys, Lukas figured you’d like to see the place.
I waited with bated breath—I didn’t want them to push this. They had to know, but it had to be face-to-face. This wasn’t a text message kind of conversation.
I’ll be there, what time?Ben responded.
Same. And a smiley-face emoji from Nat.
I wasn’t sure what time, so I told them five or six. Even if dinner wasn’t ready, I could show them around.
They shot me thumbs-up emojis and I slipped my phone into my pocket and went out looking for Lukas.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Lukas
