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“How are things back home?” I ask Andrew once we’re all finished eating. “I miss everyone so much.”
“Everything is good. Mac and Mia were thinking about taking a trip down this way.” He looks at Trent. “I’m sure they’ve mentioned it to you.”
“Yeah.” Trent sets his beer down on the table. “I spoke with Dad yesterday. I told him to hold off because Ally’s wanting to take a weekend trip back home.”
“When’s this happening?”
“I’m talking to my doctor about it Monday. I don’t see it being a problem though, especially since Dr. Warren will be close by. It’s more of just letting him know I’ll be gone for a couple of days, if something did come up.”
“Everyone will be excited to see you,” Jase comments. “And maybe it’ll calm Andrew down having you around for the weekend.”
“Aww… do you really miss me that much?” I ask in a sugary-sweet voice, smiling prettily at Andrew. “I figured you’d love the opportunity to be rid of me for a while.”
Using the top of his beer bottle, he points it at Jase. “You, shush it.” He points at me next. “And you, that shit is not funny.” He chugs the rest of his beer and sets the bottle down. “I’m still mad at you for hauling ass here without telling me you were sick.”
My humor flees, and I reach across the table to grab his hand. “I’m sorry, Andy,” I tell him sincerely, using the nickname I gave him when I was a child. “I just didn’t want to see you hurt. Any of you.”
He still looks disgruntled, but he turns his hand and wraps our palms together. “You did a crap job of it, because it hurt like a bitch finding out why you left. Don’t do that again.”
“I won’t. I promise.” I squeeze his hand. “Besides, I’m hoping this will be it for me.”
“I pray it is, baby girl,” Andrew says solemnly.
Dinner talk turns to less serious things. Andrew and Jase catch Trent and me up on the going-ons in Jaded Hollow. I inform them both that before they leave, they have to try my new obsession Krystal burgers. I giggle when Trent groans beside me. Jase gets up to help Ashlyn bring in plates and dessert—a delicious apple pie.
“Damn,” Andrew moans, his eyes rolling back after taking his first bite. “You’d give Maggie a run for her money with this pie.”
“You better not let her hear you say that,” Trent states. “She’d have your hide.”
Andrew shrugs. “She knows I’d never trade her pie for anyone else’s. But with this—” He sticks his fork in the last bite and holds it up. “—I’d be tempted to.” He shoves the bite into his mouth.
Ashlyn beams. “I’m glad you like it so much.” She scoots the remaining piece in the tray closer to Andrew. “Have the last slice.”
Andrew grins. “Don’t mind if I do.”
“That’s my piece, woman,” Dillon says, enviously eyeing the piece as Andrew scoops it up and places it on his plate.
“You already had two pieces.”
“And you know I always go for thirds.”
Patting the top of his hand, Ashlyn smiles indulgently at Dillon. “I’ll make one just for you after they leave.”
“Fine,” he grumbles, and we all laugh.
Once the table is cleared and the kitchen is cleaned—which Trent and I volunteered to do since Ashlyn cooked—we walk out into the living room. Ashlyn, Dillon, and Jase are seated on the couch watching TV.
I open my mouth to ask where Andrew is, but Jase beats me to it.
“He got a phone call and stepped outside.”
I turn to Trent and press a kiss against his mouth. “I’ll be back.”
I pause just outside the door and look around. I spot Andrew sitting on the glider, slowly moving it back and forth with his foot.
“What are you doing sitting out here in the dark?” I ask.
He stops the glider long enough for me to sit beside him. “Listening to the crickets.”
