“Sorry. That was uncalled for.”
She almost smiled. “You are forgiven.”
“Riley. I mean it. You’ll let me know if you need anything?”
You,cried a lonely voice deep down inside her.How about if what I need is you?“I will, Josh. I promise.”
“Good. I’ll reach out next week.”
Reach out?Did that mean he would text instead of calling? Should she be grateful for that? Or sadder than ever—because everything was wrecked between them, and now she wouldn’t even get to hear his voice on the phone.
“Take care of yourself,” he said.
“Yes. All right, then. Goodbye.”
“Bye.” He ended the call.
She did not understand herself lately. First, she’d put off returning his call. Now she ached to call him back, just to hear him speak to her in that cool, distant tone.
Really, how pathetic did that make her?
Very.
And that was why she needed to pull herself together and quit moping around.
* * *
Tuesday she dropped Dillon off at daycare and went to the hotel with a determined smile on her face. As usual, there was one mini-crisis after another. She dealt with each problem and moved on to the next. She was still being extra careful of her ankle, taking it much slower than usual—but she managed well enough.
At four, Annette came downstairs to Riley’s office, shut the door and said, “Time for you to call it a day. Pick up our boy from daycare and have a great afternoon.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Tempt you? Sweetheart, I’m giving you an order. After all, I am the senior partner here.”
“It’s early. You sure?”
“Positive.”
“You asked for it.”
“Yes, I did. See you tomorrow.” Annette started to leave and then paused with her hand on the knob. Slowly, she turned back around. “You know, it’s been too long since we had a little quality girl time. How about tonight? Your house. I can spoil my grandson a little and then tuck him into bed. After that, you can listen to me carry on about a certain talented carpenter…”
“I would love that.” Evenings were hard lately, especially after Dillon went to bed.
“All right then. I’ll bring the food. You won’t have to cook.”
“What? No. Don’t bring a thing. I’ll cook.”
“No, you won’t,” Annette insisted. “I invited myself. I’ll pick up dinner from Frackelton’s on the way over. I’mthinking roast chicken, oven-browned garlic potatoes and a nice green salad.”
“Well, that sounds delicious. Have it your way.”
“I will. Six?”
“You’re on.”
That evening, Annette arrived carrying two giant takeout bags. They ate right away. Then, after big servings of Frackelton’s amazing chocolate poke cake for dessert, Annette announced, “And now I want to spend a little quality time with my grandson.”
