Page 48 of Carver’s Craving

More things I hadn’t known about Frank. I pushed my potatoes around with my fork. “Everything’s okay. I mean, it really is. But my boss asked me to consider seeing a counselor for a few sessions. He never asks for anything, and—”

“Are you okay?” Styx’s brow knit. “I mean…I didn’t see. But if I’m missing something…or if I’m the cause—”

I held up my hand.

He halted.

“You aren’t the problem. Hell, I’m not even certain there is a problem. Just…Foster felt I could use some…help? Guidance? A check-in with a professional to make certain I’m doing okay? Both he and Lorcan spoke honestly about their experiences. I mean, I probably shouldn’t be telling you that they went.”

Styx shrugged. “I won’t say anything. I mean, I don’t know these guys…but I wouldn’t anyway.”

“Well—” I cut a piece of asparagus. “—they asked me to invite you to our get-together on Friday night. You don’t have to come.” I met Styx’s gaze. “They might grill you. But I also figure you’ll be going stir-crazy by then. Oh, and I meant to say that I can bring you into Mission City when I go to work. You could hang out. There are enough places you can just chill—like the library—and, you know…”

“I’m okay here.” He gestured to the couch. “It’s not like I don’t have company. And a purpose.” He cut another piece of ham. “I’m happy to join you on Friday. If that’s what you want.”

I hesitated for only a moment. “Yeah, I’d like it. I do think it’ll be good for you to get out. And it’ll prove to my boss that I have a life.”

“Do you need to prove that to your boss?”

“Well…no. But it’d be nice anyway.”

“Then I’ll join you. I’m going to assume it’s not fancy?”

I laughed. “We all go straight after work. The Springs is used to the dirt that accompanies us. They treat us well. And we leave substantial tips.”

“Good to know.” He forked another piece of ham, but didn’t eat. “So you’re going for counseling tomorrow night.”

Trust him not to have forgotten. “Uh, yeah.”

“Cool. I can totally take care of the dogs. And I’ll whip something up for dinner as well.”

“You don’t have to—”

He waved off my objection. “I like cooking. I might search for something on the internet.”

“I don’t have much variety in my pantry.”

A shrug. “I can prepare a list for you of what I’ll need for Saturday. In fact, if you’re up for it, we could go shopping together.”

“Or I can place an online order and pick it up after work on Wednesday.” Again, the idea of going into a store held zero appeal.

“Nope. I need to see the vegetables and fruit I’m picking. If you don’t want to come with me, I can always just borrow your SUV. If you trust me.”

“Of course I trust you. I’m going to assume you have a valid driver’s license since you just drove across the country.”

He chuckled. “That would be a safe assumption.”

“Okay. So you can borrow my SUV after work one night or you can go into town on Saturday. Your phone has a maps app, right?”

“Yep.”

“Then I’ll give you the address of the grocery store, the vegetable market, and my house. The rest I suspect you’ll be able to figure out. Mission City isn’t that complicated.”

He grinned. “Nope.” Then his expression turned more somber. “Hey, if you need to talk, I’m always happy to listen. But I think it’s great you’re going to see a professional. We probably all should’ve done that after Frank died. I just—” He swallowed. “Life sort of got in the way.”

“Yeah. So, um, ice cream?”

He winked. “You bet.” When I started to rise, though, he waved me off. He grinned. “I get to serve you. I have to say I’m really enjoying this part of our…arrangement.” Then he got up, grabbed our mostly empty plates, and took them to the counter.