He begins the automotive and our brief drive is in silence till he pulls as much as the kerb.

“I’ll stick with you till Alex arrives.” He unbuckles his seatbelt.

“You don’t have to try this.”

He appears to be like within the rear view mirror at Casey who beams again at him. “I don’t know if I’ll really feel proper in any other case.”

After I take away her automotive seat, we go inside and Gareth sits in a front room chair.

I fist my arms. The very last thing I need is to start out something in entrance of Casey.

“The place’s Daddy?” Casey asks.

“I advised you, sweetheart. He’s at work. However he’ll be right here quickly. You simply need to be affected person.”

She appears to be like at Gareth. “You Garef?”

He clamps his lips collectively, I presume to cease laughing, and nods. “I’m Gareth.”

“You Mummy’s buddy?”

His eyes meet mine, and I simply really feel numb. He devastated me, however there’s nothing between us now. Just a few remorse that he by no means wished something to do with Casey.

“I’m.” He smiles, and there’s a disappointment about him that radiates by way of the room. What he and Melanie are going by way of must be powerful.

“My daddy is coming residence quickly.”

He appears to be like up at me once more, however I refuse to satisfy his gaze. “You sound such as you’re very enthusiastic about that.”

“I’m. Need to watch Paw Patrol?” Casey asks.

I maintain up my palms. “How about I make some espresso? I’ll make you a sizzling chocolate, Casey. And we are able to all watch Paw Patrol till Alex will get right here.” Shifting my gaze to Gareth, I attract a breath. “Shouldn’t you name Melanie and let her know you’re right here?”

He shrugs. “I despatched her a textual content.”

“Doesn’t she suppose it’s bizarre that you simply’re at my place?”

He tilts his head. “She understands that I’m serving to out a buddy.” Drawing in a loud breath, he appears to be like across the room, and it makes me grind my tooth. “In addition to, she’d by no means forgive me if something occurred and I may have been right here to assist.”

By the point I make espresso and sizzling chocolate, and we’ve watched an episode of Paw Patrol, I’m nearly climbing the partitions.

Not solely as a result of Alex isn’t right here but, however as a result of that girl continues to be on the market. How can I take Casey outdoors ever once more? How can I belief the individuals round us?

There’s a faucet on the door. Gareth rises.

I roll my eyes. “Sit down.”

By some miracle, he obeys.

“Lana, it’s me.”

Simply the sound of Alex’s voice brings tears to my eyes, and I fling open the door and throw my arms round his neck.

“Hey. It’s okay.” He buries his nostril below my ear and simply holds me.

That is what I wanted. My concern might need maintain of me proper now, however Alex soothes that simply by being current. He walks me backward into the room and closes the door behind him.

Casey rushes throughout the room, wrapping herself round Alex’s leg.

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