Then my phone buzzed again.
Astrid:I might be able to fix this
Astrid:just don’t do anything else stupid
2
Ward
Just as Iheard Ryder collapse on the bed upstairs, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
“Hey Liz,” I answered, trying to sound my usual cheerful self. It wasn’t as thoughIwas the one who’d just had my life collapse around my ears, after all.
“Ward, hey,” Liz said, almost drowned out by the sound of kids shouting in the background. “How busy are you today?”
“Uhh…”
I looked up at the loft, wondering if Ryder was asleep yet.
“The thing is—”
“It’s just that one of the porch stairs broke and I’m scared one of the kids could get hurt. I’ll pay you emergency rates and buy you lunch and be forever in your debt, I just need it fixed.”
I sighed. That wasn’t the kind of thing that could wait, not when Liz had two kids under five who could get really hurt on a broken stair.
Ryder needed a break, but it wasn’t as though I could do anything for him here. Not right now, anyway.
“I… yeah, I can help with that. Just need to, uh…”
A note. I could write Ryder a note, leave my number, and if he needed anything, he could text or call. It wasn’t as though I was a million miles away.
“I haven’t interrupted you while you’reentertaining, have I?” Liz asked, and I didn’t have to see her to know exactly how her eyebrows wiggled when she saidentertaining.
That was the thing about staying friends with your ex. They always knew too much.
“Not exactly. I’ll uh. Tell you when I get there. See you in fifteen?”
“You’re a lifesaver,” she said. “Always knew I should’ve married you.”
“I’m telling your wife you said that.”
“She’d agree that we should keep you,” Liz said. “She thinks you’re hot.”
“And you don’t?” I asked, grabbing a pen and scribbling on the back of one of the old envelopes I kept in the kitchen for grocery lists.
I’d probably need to pick up some groceries, if Ryder was staying.
Was it ridiculous to be excited about Ryder staying? I wouldn’t have wished the circumstances on anyone, but it was nice to see him again. I’d missed him so much.
Liz hummed. “Nope.”
“You’re so mean.”
“You love it.”
“I do,” I agreed, underlining my number on the note. “Heading there now, see you in a few.”
The scent of fall hung in the air outside as I stepped onto the porch, closing the door as quietly as possible so I wouldn’t wake Ryder. Leaves crunched under my feet, crisp air filled my lungs, and the cracking leather seat in my truck squeaked under me as I settled myself behind the wheel.
