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Lisa stopped running. This was completely at odds with Megan saying she was glad he was out of the house.
“Why didn’t you go with him?”
“It doesn’t feel right over there, like he’s trying too hard. I miss him painting in the living room, fixing us breakfast, playing on the beach. Not his creepy apartment.”
They started running again.
“We’ll get used to him being gone, I guess.”
“You’re not going to marry Zach, are you?”
“No! Why do you ask?”
“He seems so comfortable at our house. Like he just slid right in.”
“I won’t have him come around again if he makes you uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I don’t want you to be alone.”
They approached the house just as Ryan had dropped everyone off and pulled away in the nanny car.
“Short and sweet,” Daniela said, waving from the back door. “Morgan kept calling him Mr. Maddox.”
Snorting, Lisa nodded, understanding. “He’s going to have to pay some dues with that kid.”
“Ryan was so sweet with the kids. He did all the work, too, grilling hot dogs and setting the table with flowers, and setting the desserts out instead of just opening up the boxes.”
“Like I do.”
“Ha! No, miss. And he gave us all the leftover goodies.”
“Ugh! Just what we don’t need. Did Alison stay the whole time?” Lisa asked.
“She did. She said she’ll call you later.”
“Why didn’t he give the leftovers to her?” Lisa asked.
“He tried, but she refused.”
Alison and Morgan returned home. When Max saw the car pull up, he went out to help.
“How was it?” he asked.
“Daddy, take me,” Morgan yelled, trying to unbuckle her car seat strap.
“It was nice. He put some effort into it. So, yeah, he’s trying.” Alison lowered her voice, nodding toward Morgan. “This one insisted on calling him Mr. Maddox.”
“I don’t want you to disrespect him,” Max said sternly, getting Morgan out of the seat. “We’ll have a chat tomorrow.”
“I won’t, Daddy.”
“I did learn something unexpected, though,” Alison said. “I’m not sure how that’s going to affect you and me.”
“What?”
“He’s moving into Dan’s old place. It was on the market one day, and today the sign came down. He’s going to buy it.”
“I’m glad Ryan is going to be back,” Max said. “He’s been a good friend, and now he’ll be back in the neighborhood for his children. Is Lisa happy?”
