Lawson had considered that, too. But that felt desperate, and while he was a lot of things, he wasn’t desperate. “I’m sure.”
Beth got up and stepped toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “So that’s why you and Julie broke up? Because you’re leaving?” she asked. “She didn’t mention anything about that to me this morning.”
He didn’t respond.
Beth pulled back, her gaze searching his. “You didn’t tell her you were leaving?”
“She’s better off without me. Things are good for her here. Her dreams are coming true and…I don’t know. Maybe it’s better if—”
“You stupid idiot. She’ll go with you, Lawson. Julie loves you.”
“No.” He shook his head. “This is Julie’s home. She deserves to be happy.”
“You make her happy. Can’t you see that?” Beth sat across from him again. “Lawson, really? I thought you were smarter than this.”
He stood, unwilling to talk about it anymore because part of him wanted to run back to Julie and ask her to give up everything here and go with him. He’d considered doing just that every waking hour since he’d pushed her away. “I’ve got to go.”
“Lawson?” Beth said, reaching out her hand and grabbing his forearm. “Tell her. At least give her a choice.”
“I’ll think about it.” He pointed at her. “But, sis, you stay out of it. Promise me.”
She averted her gaze.
“Beth?”
“Fine. I promise,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “But I still think you’re a stupid idiot. And the best brother in the world.” She frowned. “I just want you to be happy.”
Bending, he kissed her forehead. “Ditto. Thanks for dinner. Good night.” Then, before Beth could say anything more, he walked out into the night.
Chapter 25
Julie took a moment to warm up before the children started spilling into the room for her kids’ yoga class. Dressed in fitted black workout pants and a tank top, she folded her body in half and let her arms dangle in front of her. The stretch felt good, like a drug being shot into her body. Working, or playing really, was going to feel good, too. She loved the kids’ enthusiasm and the creative names they gave the moves.
“Ms. Julie!”
Julie straightened just in time to secure herself before Sabrina came barreling into her legs. “Hey, sweetheart.”
Beth smiled from the doorway.
“I’m so glad you could make it.”
Beth nodded. “I wanted Sabrina to know that just because you have a fancy new job doesn’t mean she won’t see you anymore.”
“And Mommy says we’ll still have tea parties together,” Sabrina said.
“Of course we will. You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried,” Julie said, feeling a pang of regret. Lawson had gotten rid of her relatively easy.
Beth walked over and wrapped her arms around her. Now Julie was being sandwiched between both mother and daughter. “You are family now. We love you.”
Another pang.
“And you’re a much better sitter than Uncle Lawson. And probably Ms. Lacey,” Sabrina said.
Julie pulled back and looked down at her. “You’ll love your new sitter. I promise.”
Sabrina shrugged. “She’s not you, though.”
“No, she’s not. But I have a hunch you two will get along great.” Julie looked up, mentally chiding herself for wanting to ask about Lawson, too. She knew that he was supposed to go to Beth’s for dinner last night.
