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“You’re just jealous.”

“You’re damn right I am.”

Strolling around the resevoir, it was as close to a fall day as Californians got. A few aspen trees glowed bright yellow, a light drizzle fell, and the call of geese added to the whole autumnal thing.

“I love the fall,” Lila announced. “How about you?”

“This time of year is so depressing,” Charlie admitted.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I sounded so glib just now. Mike’s death hasn’t helped. I bet the funeral was rough.”

“I don’t think I saw you there,” Charlie said.

“You didn’t. I’m sorry. I stayed home with Devon’s dog. I can’t do funerals.”

He looked at her sidelong, his interest in her growing. “I can respect that. Trust me, if he wasn’t my nephew and it wasn’t a firefighter’s funeral, I wouldn’t have gone either.”

Shaking his head, the reality of what his family was going through hit him. He wasn’t at his best. “It was probably selfish to call you in the middle of this mess. I need someone, and now here you are, listening to my whining.”

“Charlie, you’re not whining. I’ll go through this with you. I’ll be there for Devon, too, if he needs me. Devon isn’t interested in me, remember. We’re just friends. Not that it’s an issue for you…”

“It’s not if you say it’s not.” Charlie looked over at her as they walked. “I’ll start out this relationship with trust.”

“Is trust an issue?”

“My wife cheated. Did Devon tell you the story?”

“No. It’s not Devon’s style to share anything negative. He said you were single and lived in Rancho Santa Fe. That was all I needed to hear.”

They laughed out loud, but then he got serious, deciding to share the truth, get it out of the way so she’d feel free to pursue him if she wanted to.

“My wife had an affair with a neighbor, and when the last kid left for college, she asked me for a divorce. Actually, she left first, then asked.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m not sorry you’re divorced, but I’m sorry she hurt you. What a bitch.”

“She didn’t hurt me. The truth is, I hurt her. I’m just now coming to terms with what our marriage consisted of. When we know each other better, I’ll tell you about it.”

“What’s your relationship with her now?”

“There isn’t one. Her boyfriend, soon-to-be husband I’ve heard, lives in the same development I do, but the houses are secluded, so I rarely see them coming and going. When I do, we don’t wave or acknowledge each other. When Oliver is home from school, he stays with me because that’s where his room and his stuff is. My son Paul is a firefighter in De Luz. He lives in Oceanside, but I get to see him on Sundays when we all go to Big Mike’s for dinner.”

Thinking ahead, Lila wondered if she’d be included in those dinners. She hoped not. “I guess they won’t be having big gatherings for a while.”

“They already have them planned. The house has been packed since the accident. It’s just our family’s way. Will you come with me some time?”

A combination of dread and excitement confronted her. “If you’re sure I won’t be in the way.”

“You won’t be. It’s about time I had someone to drag to these affairs.” He barked out a laugh and then grew serious again. “It’s sad. Mike was just like his dad in so many ways, larger than life, really.”

“That’s so true. He was gorgeous and so sweet. Gosh, I’m so sorry.”

“There I go again, being a whiner.”

“Charlie, I don’t see it that way at all. I’m here for you, okay?”

“Thank you,” he said, taking her hand. “I appreciate it.”

“It’s where your life is right now. I’m sort of there, too. I’ll have to take care of Devon and be his chauffeur for a while. Devon doesn’t have anyone now, either. Mike was his best friend.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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