“It’s not. And I can take you to her. Help you break the ice.”
He smiled, lines creasing the corners of his eyes. “Thanks, it’s been a while since we’ve spoken.” His smile slipped, and he dropped his head into his hands. “Oh, god. Meg.”
His shoulders shook with a silent sob, and Stella shot me a heartbroken look and crossed over to him, sinking down on the arm of the chair as she hugged him.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, her eyes welling up.
I stayed where I was, not wanting to intrude on his grief. Yes, I was his son, but I had no right after what I’d almost done to him.
Nothing was settled before we left—everything was still too new, too raw. But Richard and I did make plans to meet at Mom’s gravesite in the coming week, and I was sure we’d talk more then.
Afterward, I drove Stella back to her shop.
“Can I stay?” I asked. “With you, I mean. Just for the night. I, uh, don’t really want to be alone right now.”
“Yes,” she said.
I sighed in relief. “I’ll go park the car.”
“Okay.” She opened her door to get out but paused, turning back to me. “I’m proud of you for how you handled that. For how kind you were to Richard.”
“Thank you. It felt like the right thing to do.”
She leaned over, gave me a brief kiss, and slipped into the night.
36
Stella
“I can’t believe we didn’tfigure it out,” Mom said.
She and I stood on my parents’ back porch in a shaded corner. It was late September, and while we were officially in fall, the heat of summer was still clinging on, one final burst of warmth before the cooler temperatures moved in.
Today’s gathering was the first social event I’d attended in well over a month, because I’d needed that time to focus on healing my flare. At least it was small, just my family, and Richard and Tyler, who stood chatting together by the grill. Mom and I had been watching them, and without the distraction of other people around, their similarities were much more obvious.
“They have the same laugh,” Mom said. “It’s almost uncanny.”
“Even if you had noticed, you would have found a way to excuse or ignore their how alike they are,” I told her.
She made a dismissive sound. “Never. I’m far smarter than you are.”
I tried to flick her arm, but she swerved me.
“See?” she said.
“Don’t make me regret taking today off to come here.Youinvitedus.You’re supposed to be nice to guests.”
She started to respond, but the sound of the French doors opening had us turning. Blake stepped out, carrying a platter. Dad was right on his heels with another, and he paused long enough for Tippi to come tottering onto the patio after him.
“It’s too hot out here for her, darling,” Mom said.
“She wouldn’t stop whining at the door,” Dad answered, looking sheepish.
“Well, then we need to get her chilled dog bed and fan,” Mom said before heading inside.
Tyler heard and sent me a look over his shoulder. “Spoiled,”he mouthed.
I grinned.
