I’m leaving now, but I’m sure dinner is over
Plus, it’ll be midnight by the time I get there with the weather
I’ll see you when you get back
Me:
Drive safe. Text me when you get home, okay?
Summer liked “Drive Safe. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“I don’t need to ask if she’s going to make it. Your face says it all,” Mia comments, pulling my gaze to her.
“Yeah.” I hope I don’t sound as gutted as I feel, but I doubt I’m hiding much tonight.
“That guy needs to get a life,” she scoffs.
“Boone seems… intense.” That’s me being generous after the shit he pulled today.
Mia twists the stem of her glass. “Summer never complains, but I can tell it’s taking a toll on her.”
I nod, because what else is there to say?
I try to stay present, to enjoy the night with my friends, but I can’t stop thinking about Summer. She’s probably home by now. Alone. On Christmas.
I should be there.
Luckily, dinner’s wrapping up, so I don’t have to be a complete asshole and fake a stomach bug. No one would believe it anyway.
Natalie stands and gathers plates.
My chair scrapes loudly when I push back. “Sit. I’ve got it.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” She hands off the dishes and plops back into her seat.
I carry the plates into the kitchen, where Hannah and Logan are rinsing and loading the dishwasher in a little assembly line.
“Can I help?” I offer.
“Oh, no, you go relax.” Hannah gives me a warm smile. “We’ve got it.”
“He’s trying to escape,” Logan says. “Let him.”
“I’m not?—”
“You’ve checked your phone at least six times in the last ten minutes.” He doesn’t look up from the dishes. “Go.”
“If you’re sure?—”
Hannah nods, and Logan’s stare over her head says,Get out of here so I can be alone with my fiancée.
“In that case, I’m gonna head out.” I run a hand through my hair. “Would it be okay to take some leftovers for Summer?”
“Of course.” Hannah immediately starts pulling glass containers out of the cabinets and filling them with enough food to feed a family of four. “I was looking forward to getting to know her. If Mia likes her, she’s got to be something special.”
“She is,” I hear myself say.
Logan’s brows nearly hit his hairline, but Hannah just smiles wider.
