Lawson sighed. “Drew and Luke know what happened, but only the broad strokes. It was too public; they’d find out anyway. Charlie thinks you aren’t feeling well.”
I gripped Lawson’s fingers tighter. “Okay.”
“You up for heading out there, or do you want me to bring food back here? You need to eat.”
Not facing everyone would just make things worse. I forced myself to sit up. “I’ll go out. I want to see the boys and let them know I’m all right.”
Lawson nodded slowly as he rose. He stayed close as I pulled my hair into a topknot but didn’t bother with shoes. We made our way down the hall and toward the living room. Charlie’s and Grae’s voices lifted as they talked about the lizard he’d get to help take care of in his classroom next year.
As Lawson and I entered the space, Charlie’s whole body swiveled in our direction, then he was running. He skidded to a stop right in front of me. “Are you okay? Aunt Aspen said you were sick but not constageous. Did you get the pukes? I hate the pukes more than anything.”
I couldn’t help the smile that stretched my lips. “No pukes, thank goodness. And I’m feeling much better.”
Charlie threw his arms around me. “I’m so glad. I didn’t want to hug you till I knew because I didn’t want you puking on me. I’d throw up for sure then.”
Grae laughed. “True love right there.”
I glanced at her. “Thanks for getting Drew and Luke.”
She waved me off. “Anytime. I’m just glad you’re feeling better.” She sent me a meaningful look as Charlie released me.
Aspen’s gaze swept over me from the kitchen. “Katydid and I are making you some soup. Law said you haven’t had lunch.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do. And you’re going to eat it and not fight me on it.” Aspen pinned me with a total mom stare.
“I will eat it and love every bite. Promise.”
“That’s better,” she said with a huff, turning back to a pot on the stove as Cady stirred while standing on a stool.
Drew and Luke were perched at the island, but both watched me carefully. I crossed to them, trying to make my smile bigger. “Hey, guys.”
Drew met my gaze, swallowing hard. “You’re okay?”
I reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing. “Totally fine. Promise.”
He nodded but didn’t look completely convinced. “I’m glad. I didn’t really want a nanny, but you’re fire. I like having you around.”
“Fire?” I asked, my brows lifting.
“Awesome, cool, something like that,” Grae explained.
I laughed. “Thanks, Drew. I’m really glad I get to hang out with you all the time, too.”
The legs of Luke’s stool scraped on the floor as he stood. His jaw was granite like as he stalked toward me, but his eyes shone with unshed tears. He pulled me into a hug, careful not to squeeze me too tightly. “I’m glad you’re okay, Hallie.”
My heart shredded as I hugged the sensitive boy with his big heart. “Thanks, Luke.”
Luke held on tightly as my eyes met Lawson’s over his shoulder. A million things passed between us in that moment. And I knew then that I’d fallen for all of them, my heart be damned. I just needed to know if Lawson would make the leap with me.
30
LAWSON
I strodeinto the station and gave Daniels a chin lift. “How’d you pull desk duty?”
Something passed over his expression. “Smith wanted to take an hour to check on Adrienne’s mom. I told him I didn’t mind covering.”
