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He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I’m surprised when he stops at a gas station on the way home, but I don’t ask any questions. I’m too exhausted to care. Honestly, I think we are both too exhausted to do much of anything. I fully expect us to pass out the moment we get home.
We’ve been staying at his house so that his grandpa doesn’t have to be alone. I think Shane is more worried about him than ever before, and I don’t blame him. His whole life has been about his wife for fifty years, and now, she’s just gone.
How fucking unfair is that?
When we get home, we say a quick hello to his grandpa, who is already in his PJ’s in the living room. He left earlier than we did, and I think all of the people giving their condolences wore him out.
He’s already snoring in the chair, so we walk by as quietly as we can before heading into the bedroom. I change out of my black dress and into shorts and a tank top.
Shane starts to undo his tie, and I say, “I know it’s a shitty occasion to have to wear one, but you pull off a suit pretty well.”
“Thanks, Sunshine. But don’t get used to it.” He smiles. “Hopefully, the next time you see me in one of these things is the day I marry you.”
Warmth spreads throughout my body, listening to him talk about our future. We’ve never really had the “forever” talk, but with as close as we are, I don’t see either one of us going anywhere.
I excuse myself to use the restroom. While in there, I throw my hair up in a bun and wash my face. Since I’ve been staying here the past few nights, some of my skincare products are scattered over the countertop.
When I finally return to the bedroom, Shane is lying on the bed in pair of flannel pajama pants and nothing else. The lights are off, but there are a few candles on the dresser and bedside tables.
“What’s this?” I ask with a small smile.
“I know candles I got at the gas station might not be too fancy, but there weren’t a lot of options.”
“It’s perfect,” I assure him while taking a seat on the bed.
He leans down to grab something off the floor. When he returns, he hands me a beer.
“What’s all this for?” I ask.
Both of us open the bottles and get comfortable against the pillows. He throws his arm around my shoulders as I nestle into him.
Kissing the top of my head, he says, “These past few days have been so crazy I don’t think I’ve taken the chance to say thank you.”
“Shane, you don’t have to thank me for anything. You’re there for me, and I’m there for you. Isn’t that how this works?” I ask, looking up at him. “Besides, I don’t think I’ve been very good at helping out in a crisis.”
“Are you kidding? You have been everything these past few days. Without you here, I would have completely fallen apart.”
Instead, I don’t say anything but just lean up and give him a soft kiss on the neck. It’s not leading anywhere—more to just show him that I’m still here for him for whatever he needs.
“Do you know how much I love you?” He whispers to me.
“Almost as much as I love you,” I joke.
I feel his chest moving as he chuckles against me. “Sunshine, I promise when this is all over, I’m going to take you out on a proper date. I know our last one got kind of messed up.”
“Although it had a sad ending,” I begin. “I think it was pretty dang perfect.”
“Funny because that’s exactly how I feel about you. Pretty dang perfect.”
Chapter Forty-six
Shane
About a week has passed since my grandma's passing, and things are just now starting to get back to normal.
Both Jenna and I had to get back to work, but I’m working a lighter schedule so that I can be with Grandpa as much as possible. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve been making it work as best we can.
One morning, I walk into the kitchen and see him sitting at the kitchen table all alone with a fountain Coke sitting in front of him. He’s not saying a word but rubbing his hand over his eyes.
