Page 161

Now I’m grateful I did.

I put my bag on the island and call him again. This time, I wait for the beep.

"Wolf, it’s me." I swallow. "I know about the foundation. About Beau."

I close my eyes. I want him to answer so I can ask him why he carried all of this by himself. Why he let us hate him when he could’ve told us.

Why he thought I’d be better off without him.

"Please call me. I need to talk to you."

I hang up and take the phone into his bedroom.

His jersey is still folded on the chair where I left it. I pull off my dress and put it on, then climb into his bed.

The remote is on his nightstand. I find Couple’s Cove and start the next episode, but I barely hear what anyone is saying.

Wolf would’ve asked me three questions by now. He’d have an opinion about the man on the screen and probably reach across me for the popcorn while he explained it.

I look at his pillow, then turn onto my side and cry.

Tomorrow, I’m supposed to sign the paperwork, pay the deposit, and get the keys to my shop.

I’ve wanted that day for years.

Right now, I don’t know how I’m going to get out of his bed.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Wolf

"Rise and shine."

I open one eye.

Pops is standing in the doorway with a coffee mug, looking considerably too pleased to find me conscious.

"No."

"Strong argument, but it will not deter me. Get up."

"What time is it?"

"Late enough. I’ve let you sleep on and off for two days. Time to join the living."

"I had surgery."

"I was there. Very expensive nap by the way." He comes closer and puts the coffee on the table beside the recliner. "You also have a post-op appointment, and I’m not telling your surgeon you couldn’t make it because you were busy drooling on my furniture."

I run my good hand over my face.

My mouth tastes terrible. My shoulder hurts. There’s a blanket over my legs that I don’t remember putting there.

"Where’s my phone?"

"Charging in the kitchen. You told me to turn it off."

"I remember."