“No problem. Have a great day.”
“I will. You, too.” Cristie made two trips to get everything out to her dad’s truck, then waved as she backed out and drove away. Bailey went into the kitchen and allowed herself to have a good cry. She heard the bell above the door jingle, but couldn’t seem to make herself cry. It wasn’t until she felt someone hugging her from behind, that she realized she wasn’t alone. She turned quickly and found Shaun standing there with his arms around her loosely as he allowed her to turn and look at him.
“You came back,” she said.
“And it’s still not for the coffee,” he said with a soft smile.
Her lips trembled as she tried to keep from crying.
“It’s going to be okay,” he promised.
“I really thought I’d be part of that family one day. But now it seems ever clearer that I won’t be. And I can’t even be angry with her. She has no clue what’s happening. She’s nice. And she’s beautiful, and she’s pleasant and kind. How do you hate somebody like that?”
“You don’t. You just realize that your future isn’t where you thought it was, and you remember that you’re not alone.”
“But I am,” she said through tears. “Even my best friend is part of that family.”
“You’re only alone if you want to be,” he said, holding his arms out again to give her the choice to be held or not.
Bailey sniffled again and walked into his arms.
Shaun kissed the top of her head and just held her. He didn’t try to tell her she shouldn’t be crying. He didn’t try to convince her he could make it better. All he did was hold her and allow her to express some of what she was feeling through her tears.
And that was exactly what she needed.
Chapter 7
“Hey! Y’all waiting for me?” Brandt called out as he tapped on Kaid’s door and opened it to peek inside.
“There you are! We been waiting on you!” Kaid said.
“Bullshit, ain't nobody even thought about me. Not a single phone call to say, hey, we over here, come on over,” Brandt said.
They all laughed as Brandt walked in with Tempest following close behind, her hand in his.
“You brought some food with you?” Kaid asked.
“I came here to see what you have to eat,” Brandt said.
“Don’t let them fool you. Cristie just came back with all kinds of stuff from Bailey’s. I’m eating the last eclair now!” Hellen called out from the kitchen. “Don’t know where Cristie is, though.”
“She’s visiting with Avaleigh!” Maia said, then caught sight of the male following Brandt and Tempest inside. “Oh, dear Lord,” she said, choking on her coffee.
“What? What’s wrong?” Riley asked.
Everly turned around to see what Maia was choking about and her eyes widened. “Hel-lo! I’m awake now!” she exclaimed.
“He’s not that impressive,” Riley said.
“That’s because you’re not a woman,” Maia said.
Tempest smirked at Brandt. “Told you.”
Brandt rolled his eyes.
Valerie walked into the living room and came to a stop. “Who is that?”
“Who is who?” Delilah asked, walking up behind her.
