“Danny messed everything up. Even this.”
“Danny has no say in us. We’re taking care of Mia. That’swhat we’re doing here—you and me. We’re doing this together.” I pause and say, “Bit by bit.”
She sniffles again. “Yes. Bit by bit. Thank you.”
We talk a little more, about Dustin and about the women who are drawing her into their friend group.
After a while, Hallie’s voice goes soft and then she trails off midsentence.
“Hallie?” I say in a whisper.
“Mrmm hrmmm?”
“Are you asleep?” I ask.
No answer. She’s asleep. I smile to myself.
I don’t hang up. I just set my phone on the night stand, allowing the soft sound of her breathing to lull me to sleep.
Sometime in the middle of the night, her voice wakes me. “Grey?”
“Yeah.” My voice is full of gravel.
“I fell asleep,” she says in a groggy tone.
“I know.”
“Did you?” she asks.
“On and off.”
“Mkay. I’m going to go back to sleep. I’ll see you at Mo’s for coffee in the morning.”
“K. Goodnight, Hallie. See you at Mo’s.”
“Goodnight.” She clicks the phone and I stare at the ceiling, hoping for the nights sometime in the future when I can roll over and tug her close, spooning her while we doze off together.
Chapter 32
Greyson
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man,
but he is brave five minutes longer.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’m at Mo’s before Hallie arrives, drinking coffee at the counter and trading jabs with him while the few regulars watch like we’re their morning entertainment.
“So, your lady wised up and found someone better looking?” Mo teases.
“She’ll be here in a few minutes,” I tell him.
“That’s the problem with small towns,” Mo sighs dramatically, wiping a spot on the counter.
“What’s that?” I ask, willingly taking his bait.
“Not a lot of men around. The women have to settle for guys like you.”
