uffman

me-not just a friendly hug, but one that lingered, her arms wrapped around me, her head agai

here, eyes fixed on us. I felt a surge of protectiveness, but I didn't move. Mia

oft, searching, and full of everything she couldn't say out loud. I let out a small groan, feeling t

rd and throbbing in my pants. I stayed bent over for a minute. Frank

k I wanted him to see. I'm not saying I didn't want to kiss

ou don't have to apologize.

Do you have time for lunch,

aid gently. "We can p

but when I glanced over, I saw Mia staring out the wind

me," I sa

nd told me I should die for what I just did, that the kids don't need

nd went to her side. I opened the

your children," I sa

p at me, con

ot poor. My uncle is a lawyer.

surprised. "You ne

t have to work if I don't want to, but I like working at Silver Valley Plastics. I was going to q

iping her nos

ordered a small salad and some fried artichoke hearts, but she barely touched her

her car. Before she got out, I

need anything. A

th gratitude and exhaustion. "T

ght of the day settle in. I knew things would get harder before they got easier

awyer

sence was steady, and when I hugged him, I let myself lean into that steadines

something real, something I hadn't felt in years. The warmth of his arms around me, the way he responded, t

s pants. He stayed bent over slightly as though he wa

ed him to make Tyler jealous, but I also knew I wouldn't have kissed him if I

ids, about what I'd just done. Alex's hand on mine was a lifeline. When he told me about his family and hi

kissed my forehead before I left. The gesture w

ssed in, but I also felt lighter. For the

rse was missing. Panic fluttered in my chest until I remembered: I'd l

hen I arrived, I saw his car parked outside and another next to it. For a moment, I wondered if he had

he door, look

coworker," I said quickly

, I'm glad you l

turb you," I said

ut to watch a movie," he r

g to watch?" I asked, try

t," he said, han

kids until tomorrow. My mother is trying t

tened. "Then w

his house was. The living room was the size of half my house. I sat do