“Fine,” he says as I look over and notice an unfamiliar car in his driveway. “That’s my grandma.”
“Yeah? You staying with her?”
Cole fiddles with the edge of his jacket. “Yeah… It’s… been different. I never met her before… well, I guess I did when my mom was still alive. But my dad didn’t like her, so I don’t remember her. She’s nice… really nice.”
“I’m glad.”
“I don’t know why I turned down help for so long,” he says quietly.
“It’s okay.”
“I didn’t know… no… I knew. I just… I just wanted him to love me and care about me… and I was stupid.”
“You weren’t stupid, Cole.”
He shakes his head. “I just… can I come by the department again? I just… I want to learn more about what that lab lady does. I… I think I want to do that.”
“Of course,” I say. “Let me give you my number.”
I back into the house and grab a notepad and write it down. “Please don’t hesitate to call or text me if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” he says as he starts back toward his house and I watch him go, glad I could help someone. Glad that he could come to us. That he won’t stay on the dark road that leads to nightmares like Sadie and Abby and so many others faced.
With a sigh, I turn from the door and grab the carrier. After Lucille makes sure her legs spread every which way so that she won’t fit in the carrier, I finally stuff her into it before grabbing the box. As she yowls out her complaints, I drive to Liam’s house.
I sling the strap on Lucille’s carrier over my shoulder and grab the box before heading up to the front door. Instead of letting myself in like I usually do, I hit the doorbell.
It doesn’t take long for Liam to swing open the door and look out at me in confusion. “Here I thought it was someone absolutely dreadful ringing the doorbell that I’d have to interact with.”
“How heinous.”
“I know, right?”
“I was just… wondering if you and Butter had room for two more.”
Liam eyes me for a long moment. “Like… for dinner?”
“No. For good.”
He’s clearly trying his absolute hardest not to beam at me before shrugging. “Uh… yeah, Iguessthere’s enough room.”
“Yeah?” I ask with a grin.
“If Ihaveto let you into my home, I guess I will. What do you think, Margarine?”
I laugh as he breaks into a smile that ignites across his entire face. He doesn’t need to say a single word to show how excited he is. When I met Liam, I had absolutely no idea this man could smile like this. He quickly takes the box from me as he steps back and waves me into his home… no…ourhome.
“Welcome home,” he says.
“I’m happy to be home,” I respond as he pulls me in for a kiss.
