“Hi, Christabelle,” Ally chirps at me in her sweet voice. My heart melts even more for this little girl. When she pulls back, she kisses my cheek. She climbs out of her seat and throws her arms around my neck. She smiles big, making her whole face light up. “Hey, Ally!” I tell her, holding out my arms for a hug. Of course, even if it is remission, there’s always a chance it could come back. Last I heard they were waiting to see if it took and if the leukemia was in remission. Because of the chemo treatments, her bone marrow died. She has leukemia and the last several months have been hard on her. Andrew donated his sperm to her parents, Becky and Brent, when they couldn’t get pregnant on their own. Technically Ally is Andrew’s daughter, but she knows him as her uncle. I squeal in delight and run the last few feet to their table to drop down on my knees in front of Ally. Instead, he pulls his hand from mine and places it on my back, guiding me over to Andrew and Jase’s table.Īs we get closer, I notice they have another guest with them. I hold my breath, waiting for him to reprimand me for interfering, but it doesn’t come. I don’t know what it is, but something passes over his face. Brows pinched together, he lifts his eyes to me. He drags his eyes away from Maggie and looks down at my hand on his. Not caring if it’s welcome, I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. Bringing my eyes back to Nick, I see pain etched on his face. She briefly glances up at us, just long enough for me to see surprise and pleasure, before she looks back at the customer. When I look that way, I see Maggie standing behind it, serving a customer. I feel Nick at my back and turn to see him looking at the long white counter. After a second, the look is gone, and I breathe a sigh of relief. His eyes hold worry and a bit of contempt when he looks at Nick. Jase must notice because he turns around. I spot Andrew and Jase sitting at a booth to the left. It’s between breakfast and lunch so it’s not busy. We enter the diner a couple minutes later. I feel his hand at my back for a moment before he drops it, and it sends warmth to my stomach. It’s cool outside, but not cool enough to hold the groceries long. We can’t stay long or the groceries will sour,” he says, and I fall into step beside him. He runs his hands down his face and across his scruffy jaw before closing his door and walking around to my side. I watch closely as several emotions cross Nick’s face. I also know that although he’s gotten over that hurdle, he still tries to avoid the place as much as he can. I’m sure it’s a big reminder every time he goes there. For instance, I know it was months before he stepped foot into Maggie’s after Anna died. There’s a lot I’ve learned about Nick through his friends. He glances over at the diner before looking back at me, weighing his answer before giving it. Can we stop over at Maggie’s for a bite before you drop me off?” Trying to stall for time, I turn to Nick. We’ve just loaded up the few bags of groceries that Nick purchased when I spot Andrew’s retreating back as he walks into Maggie’s. I send a quick text to Jaxon, hoping he’ll agree to my plan. Looking contrite, I nod and go back into the house to grab my bag in the hallway. He still doesn’t need to be here alone, but I have no choice. We’ll hit the store and then I’ll drop you off at home.” I’m about to leave him be when he says, “Grab your stuff. “I’ll talk to her,” he states, his voice gravelly and raw. He because of what Anna was to him, and Bailey, because she witnessed the horrible ordeal and feels it’s her fault Anna was in that situation. Out of everyone, he and Bailey are the ones who were affected the most by Anna’s death. When he looks back at me, I see sorrow and torture in his eyes. After several seconds, he drops his gaze to his hands and watches as he unclenches his fingers and stretches them out.