Chapter 1

Trevor Booth brushed the rain from his hair as he walked into Sunny’s Diner to meet his friends. While they didn’t go to the divorce support group anymore, they still routinely met for coffee. His phone buzzed again. His ex, Lisa. It was her third text of the morning.

He stared at the screen as he neared the table.

“What’s got you looking so serious?” Nina asked.

He glanced up before pulling a chair out to sit. Lisa wanted him to talk to their son.

“Trevor?”

“Huh?” He looked up again to find both Nina and Tess staring at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Lisa has been texting me since I got in the truck. Evan’s acting up, and she wants me to talk to him.”

“That’s good, right? That she’s asking for you to step in,” Tess said.

“I suppose.” He’d been feeling distant from his kids lately, but it was normal. They were teenagers, and they lived with Lisa. His weekend visitation had been hit-or-miss. Part of him had wanted a more active role in their lives, though. This was his chance.

He glanced around to wave the waitress over to fill his coffee cup.

“What’s Evan doing?” Nina asked.

“I don’t really know. She said that he goes out without telling her where he is, and when she asks, he gets confrontational. They’ve been fighting a lot.”

His phone buzzed again.

Evan gets out of school at 3:30 if you want to pick him up.

Trevor sighed. Nothing like having his ex-wife passive-aggressively suggest how and when he should talk to Evan. He texted Lisa back to let her know he was working until five, but he’d call Evan and make plans for dinner.

You could leave work early. You’re the boss.

He scrubbed a hand over his face.

And a conversation with Evan can wait a couple more hours.

For sure today, though. Right?

I promise.

He figured that would appease her, because she knew he made it a point to always follow through on a promise. Lightning cracked outside. Rain pelted the plate glass windows of the diner, and he was glad his crew was working on an indoor job today.

Thank you. I appreciate it. I’m at my wit’s end with him.

I’ll see what I can do.

The waitress filled his cup, and he took a gulp. Then he turned his attention to the conversations going on around him. Tess was telling everyone about a weekend trip she and her boyfriend had taken with the kids to a water park.

Nina set her cup down. “Okay. Time for the rest of you to give us an update on the dating front.”

A collective groan rumbled across the table. It had been months since Nina had issued a challenge to all of them to get back into the dating game. She passed a small flyer to each of them except Tess. “There’s a singles mixer at this jazz club. I think we should all go.”

Trevor read the flyer. He had no desire to meet a woman at a bar. He avoided even stepping foot in a bar. One of the perks of being a recovering alcoholic.

“There’s not a drink minimum or anything,” Nina said. Even though everyone in their group knew he was an alcoholic, it had always been Nina who was his biggest supporter.

“Even if I’m not expected to drink, picking up a woman in a bar isn’t a good idea for me.” He was fine being around people who drank. After being in AA for more than seven years, since a year after his divorce, he could function in most situations. He tended to use his alcoholism as a crutch to avoid interacting with people. He knew he did it, was aware it wasn’t healthy, but as his sponsor often pointed out, he was a work in progress.

“I’m in,” Evelyn said. She nudged Owen’s elbow. “Let’s do this.”

They were best friends, having been a part of the divorce support group before the rest of them joined.

“Only if you come in separate cars and don’t hang all over each other,” Nina said.

“What are you talking about?” Owen asked.

Nina rolled her eyes. “How are you supposed to meet someone new if everyone thinks you’re a couple?”

“No one thinks that.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” she countered. “Are any of you going to see Gabe soon?”

Evelyn laughed. “Why? You know he won’t come with us.”

She wasn’t wrong. Gabe was more of a hermit than Trevor was. Trevor at least left the house every day to go to work. Gabe worked from his house. He’d never known anyone who disliked—no, distrusted—people more than Gabe did.

“Ugh. You guys are impossible.”

“Maybe they’re not ready to meet people,” Tess offered.

“You didn’t think you were ready, either, but when I prompted you to go out with Miles, look what happened.”

“You have a point.”

Trevor’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen. Not a number he recognized, so he pushed it to voicemail. He tried not to interrupt time with his friends for a customer.

For the next half hour or so, they chatted and let Nina harass them about their dating lives. After he finished his second cup of coffee, he said his goodbyes and headed to his truck. Remembering the missed call, he pulled out his phone as he climbed behind the wheel. He clicked to the voicemail.

“Hello, Mr. Booth, I am calling from Rush Hospital. There’s been an accident.”

* * *

Trevor needed to change position, but he couldn’t. Trapped under the weight of his daughter’s head on his lap and the grief surrounding both of his children, he couldn’t force his body to move. So he sat on the couch for a few more minutes, guiltily soaking in the fact that his little girl—closer to woman than baby—had curled up and laid her head on his lap like she hadn’t done since she was a toddler. Hannah slept silently while her older brother, Evan, snored in the chair beside them.

Trevor studied his kids. Hannah’s long dark hair was spilling out of her ponytail. Evan sprawled in the chair, legs kicked out. He, too, no longer looked like a child. They seemed peaceful, though, so he wanted them to have this because when they awoke again, they would remember that their mother was dead and they were stuck with him.

While sitting in the near silence, he thought about the arrangements he still needed to make. He’d only made two phone calls from the hospital—one to Lisa’s parents and one to her best friend, Callie. His former father-in-law had said he wanted to handle everything. The unspoken comment being that since the divorce, Trevor no longer had a claim to Lisa.

He’d shoved that aside, but now thoughts of Lisa and her parents were making him itchy. Easing Hannah’s head off his leg, he stood and stretched. He scrubbed a hand over his face and walked through the house. He’d only been inside this place a handful of times. With the exception of the kids, he and Lisa had led very separate lives.

Not that it had been his choice, but he’d deserved it.

The walls needed to be patched and painted. A few pieces of trim were loose. The floor had seen better days. Why hadn’t Lisa mentioned she needed work done? He would’ve taken care of all of this for her.

It was another reminder that she hadn’t wanted him in her house.

In the kitchen, he got a glass of water with shaky hands. He gulped the liquid, knowing that tonight it wouldn’t quench his thirst.

Before the glass was empty, the doorbell rang. Fuck. He’d hoped it would take them longer to get here from Indiana.

Trevor braced himself to face his former in-laws and opened the front door slightly. “The kids are asleep in the living room,” he whispered before opening the door all the way.

Diane and Gordon looked older than he remembered, and their faces were ravaged with pain. Impeccably dressed in a black blouse and slacks, Diane strode into the house. Trevor briefly wondered if she’d changed into those clothes to show the world she was in mourning or if that was how she always dressed.

Gordon set a bag on the floor and shook Trevor’s hand.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say here,” Trevor said, his voice scratchy.

“Not much to say.”

In the living room, Diane stared at Hannah and Evan. “Why are they sleeping here? They belong in their beds. Crashing on uncomfortable furniture is the last thing their bodies need.”

“They were exhausted and upset. We sat together until they passed out.” He immediately regretted his choice of words, because it was too reminiscent of his drinking days. She shook her head and then knelt in front of the couch. “Hannah,” she said softly, running a hand over his daughter’s hair.

Hannah’s eyes blinked open. “Grandma?”

“Yes, honey, I’m here.”

Hannah sat up and looked around, like Dorothy after she’d returned home from Oz. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a happy ending here. Her face crumpled, and Diane sat beside her and held her.

Evan woke and shifted. “Hi,” he said, stretching his legs even more and throwing his arms over his head. At seventeen, he’d already mastered the manly way of hiding his emotions, and since he’d already cried with Trevor at the hospital, Trevor didn’t expect to see much more from his son. Evan rubbed a hand over his head in a gesture Trevor had caught himself doing in uncomfortable situations.

“Have you eaten?” Diane asked.

“I ordered pizza earlier, but no one was particularly hungry,” Trevor answered. He hated the constant implication that he couldn’t care for his kids.

“Pizza?”

“We were a little busy today.” Busy or not, it was usually pizza or some other takeout when he was with the kids, but he wouldn’t admit that to Diane.

“How about I go in the kitchen and make something?”

“You don’t have to do that, Grandma,” Hannah said. “I’m still not hungry.”

“Then let’s get you to bed. The couch isn’t a good place for you to sleep.”

Hannah allowed her grandmother to usher her upstairs. Gordon, Trevor, and Evan all looked at one another. “Can I get you anything, Gordon?” Not that Trevor had any idea what he was offering.

Gordon shook his head. He had always been a man of few words.

“So, uh, I…about the arrangements. I have more phone calls to make to let people know. I wasn’t sure…” Trevor swallowed hard. “I didn’t know what you and Diane would want to handle, or what I should take care of.”

“If you could make calls to her friends that would be helpful. Diane and I will handle the family calls.”

“Okay. I’ll do that now.” He hitched a thumb over his shoulder toward the kitchen and gave Gordon a quick nod.

Outside on the back deck, Trevor leaned against the rail and then thought better of it. It wobbled under his weight. One more thing to add to the list of repairs. Then he pulled out his phone and made the most important call of the day.

It was evening, and Trevor hoped Karl would answer. Karl always did unless he was in a meeting.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Karl.”

“Trevor. What’s up?”

Trevor sighed and sank to the stairs. “My ex died. I’m here with my kids and my former in-laws, and I haven’t wanted a drink this bad in years.”

“Talk to me.”

* * *

Callie Larson sat in the back of the car driving away from O’Hare and rested her head against the cool glass of the window. Sights of the city flashed by as the car sped down the highway. She’d spent more time in the air than she had on the ground in the past thirty hours. The Philippines had never felt so far away. Just another dot on the map. Until today—yesterday. As soon as she’d received Trevor’s message, she’d grabbed her things and gone straight to the airport, emailing her client on the way.

She’d never walked away from a job without finishing, but she couldn’t think, much less shoot pictures.

Callie…It’s Trevor. I hope you get this wherever you are. It’s the only number I have. It’s Lisa. She was in a car accident…She…she didn’t make it.

The words echoed through her, and Callie’s heart lurched. Trevor’s voice wasn’t right, but she was torn between thinking he’d had a drink and thinking he was simply griefstricken. It was a rare occasion for her to pray, but on the entire flight, that’s what she’d found herself doing. Hannah and Evan would need Trevor, and if he fucked up by falling off the wagon, she’d kill him.

She clung to the fact that Lisa had said he’d been sober for years, that he’d made amends as best he could. Lisa had forgiven him, even if she’d had no desire to reconcile.

My best friend is gone.

Callie had no idea how to come to terms with that. Trevor had called yesterday afternoon. By now, Lisa’s parents would be there, trying to take over. She stared at the city skyline against the pinkish purple of the evening sky and thought of her friend. They’d left Indiana together two days after high school graduation, desperate to get away from their families. They’d had each other; they hadn’t needed anyone else.

Now Callie had no one. The car turned down a side street. This had become Callie’s favorite part of any trip. The feeling of returning home. But now, she had no idea how much longer this would be her home.

The car stopped, and the driver got out and opened the trunk. Callie jumped from the car. Although he was trying to be nice, she hated that drivers always wanted to take her bags. Her equipment was too expensive to entrust to just anyone. She reached into the trunk before he even touched a handle.

“I’ve got this, thanks.” With her other hand, she pressed a ten-dollar bill into his palm. She swung her backpack over her shoulder and hefted the two equipment bags, leaving the trunk open for him to close.

For a full minute, Callie stood at the curb, staring at the house. She couldn’t decide if she should go around back to the coach house where she lived or if she should go to the front door. She had a key, but using it suddenly seemed wrong. Lisa’s family and her ex were inside that house.

But so were Lisa’s kids. She straightened her tired body and forged ahead. She set a bag on the porch and rang the bell, which felt so foreign.

Trevor opened the door.

“Callie.” His eyes widened in surprise. His eyes were clear, but he looked as exhausted as she felt. They also held a healthy amount of wariness. She hadn’t seen him in years. The dark scruff on his jaw was now peppered with gray. But overall, he looked healthy. No alcoholic puffy red face. No sagging muscles. He was strong, broad.

“Hi.”

He took a bag from her. “You should’ve called. I wasn’t sure if you got my message.” He looked at the other bags. “You didn’t even go home first. I would’ve picked you up from the airport.”

She smiled weakly. That was the Trevor she remembered from twenty years ago when she and Lisa had first met him. Always the helpful one. “I figured you’d be busy. Besides, I am home.”

He shut the door behind them, his forehead crinkled. “Huh?”

“I rent the coach house out back.” How did he not know that? Lisa had offered her the space four years ago.

“I didn’t know. Lisa never said, and…” He shook his head. “I don’t come here often.”

That had been Lisa’s doing. Callie filled her lungs. “Are they here yet?”

He nodded. She tucked her equipment bags into the front hall closet and walked into the living room.

“Who is it, Dad?” Hannah asked as she came from the kitchen. “Callie!” Her face lit up and she launched herself into Callie’s arms, nearly knocking her over.

Callie held Hannah, who was looking more and more like her mother every day. She might’ve gotten her dad’s dark hair, but she had Lisa’s light blue eyes and fair skin.

“What’s the commotion out here?” Diane said, wiping her hand on a towel. She saw Callie, and her lips flattened.

Yeah, no love lost there. Diane still blamed Callie for making Lisa run away, ever the bad influence that she was.

“Diane,” she said with a nod of her head.

“Callie. What are you doing here?” The older woman, still thin, stood ramrod straight.

This would be good. If Trevor didn’t know, neither did Diane. “I live here. In the coach house out back.”

Diane’s already-stony face became impenetrable. Callie withheld a snicker.

Hannah stepped back and took her hand. “Even if she didn’t live here, Grandma, we want her here. Mom would’ve wanted her here. She’s family.”

Callie’s throat closed. She couldn’t swallow, could barely suck in a trickle of air. The teen was so much like Lisa. No one stood up for Callie the way Lisa always had. She squeezed Hannah’s hand. “It’s okay,” she whispered. Looking at Diane and then Trevor, she added, “We’re all adults. We know how to put our differences aside at a time like this.”

She forced a smile she wasn’t sure she’d ever feel again.

Diane, who would never let her manners be questioned, said with a tight smile of her own, “Of course. You look like you’ve been traveling. We’ve just had dinner. I’ll warm some for you.”

Trevor touched Hannah’s shoulder. “Go help your grandma.”

When they were gone, Trevor asked, “Can I get you anything? There’s water or pop, but I haven’t seen anything stronger.”

So he’d looked. Callie tried to control her glare but failed. “There isn’t anything stronger. After you…”

He stepped closer. “I wasn’t looking to get drunk.” He stared into her eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, the urge was there. I lost my fucking wife, and the call of alcohol was strong. But I’ve come too far.”

Callie nodded. His navy blue eyes were clear and sincere. She believed him, but she couldn’t hide her wariness. “How are you holding up?” he asked.

“Okay.” She shook her head. The gentleness of his tone crept over her, and tears threatened again. She’d never felt this alone. “I don’t even know.”

Trevor reached out tentatively and pulled her against his chest. In the warmth of his embrace with his soothing hand on her back, she released the tears and the grief she’d bottled since he’d first called her. Sobs racked her body, and Trevor simply held her tighter.

She didn’t know how long they stood like that, but no one interrupted them. When she finally pulled away, Trevor’s T-shirt was soaked. She wiped her face on her own sleeve and ran a hand down his torso. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. We’re all a mess. I know she was like a sister to you.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. She’s been the one constant in my life since we were teenagers.”

“Let’s get you some food. You can tell me about your world travels.”

Callie felt like she’d just slipped into the twilight zone. For years, she and Lisa and Trevor had been friends. She’d been slightly jealous of Lisa’s relationship with Trevor. After all, they’d all met at the same time, and she and Trevor clicked in many of the same ways he and Lisa had. They’d never treated her like a third wheel, though. Even after Trevor and Lisa had married. But when he’d started drinking more and then they’d divorced, Callie had lost Trevor. She’d had to be there for Lisa.

Now his simple offer of conversation over dinner transported her to the past, and she realized her friend was back.

* * *

Trevor stood over the sink and washed dishes just to have something to do. Lisa had a dishwasher, and as far as he knew, it worked. But he needed to keep his hands busy. Diane and Gordon had moved into the small guest room yesterday, leaving Trevor to sleep on the couch. Diane had been right about the lack of comfort in sleeping there.

But there was nowhere else for him to sleep. He couldn’t take Lisa’s bed. He hadn’t even been able to go into the room. He’d walked by, peeked in, and closed the door. Diane had decided what Lisa should be buried in tomorrow, just like she’d decided how the service would run and where they would eat after.

He didn’t even know what he was still doing here. She acted as if he didn’t exist. They didn’t need him for anything.

At least when Callie had walked through the door, he’d been able to share some of the disdain Diane spread. Callie was probably the only person in the world Diane disliked as much as she did Trevor. In some ways, even more. If Callie hadn’t convinced Lisa to move to Chicago with her, he never would’ve met her.

He dried the last dish and was at a loss for what to do next. The kids were up in their rooms. They, too, didn’t seem to have a need for him.

When he turned, Diane and Gordon stood near the table. “We’d like to talk,” Diane said.

“Okay.”

“Outside might be better, so we have some privacy.”

He tossed the towel on the counter and opened the back door, holding it for them. Diane walked down the stairs and sat on the old patio furniture that Trevor and Lisa had bought once his company started making money. Lisa had had dreams of big backyard barbecues with friends.

“We need to discuss the future,” Diane began.

Trevor had expected a conversation about life insurance or handling Lisa’s house, financial things they wanted to keep Trevor away from, but since he didn’t consider a future anywhere with them, he was lost.

“The children need a stable environment.”

Oh, fuck, no. “They have a stable environment.”

Diane held up her hands, and for the first time since the divorce, her face softened. “We love our grandchildren. We just want what’s best for them. Lisa’s been their primary caregiver. She’s done the day-to-day grind of parenting.”

“I’ve taken care of my children.”

“You’ve provided for them. You’ve always done that. Even when you were drinking. But children need more than financial security.” She took a deep, wobbly breath. “They’re all we have left of her. Parenting is difficult, and we don’t want you to relapse.”

“What exactly are you saying, Diane?”

“We’d like the children to come live with us.” She reached over and patted his hand. “We know you love them. But are you prepared to take on everything? We’re retired. We can give the children the attention they need.”

Trevor swallowed. As much as his instinct wanted him to rage at her because they were his kids, deep down he knew she had a point. He’d never had to take care of the kids full-time. When they’d been little, Lisa had stayed at home while he’d worked. After the divorce, he’d seen the kids a time or two during the week and every other weekend. Recently, that had dropped off because they were teenagers. They’d wanted to hang out with friends.

So instead of yelling at his in-laws, he stood and said, “I’ll think about it. But it’s not a decision we’re making without them. Their lives are here.”

“Children are resilient. As a parent, it’s your job to make the best choices for them, even when they don’t like it.”

“I’m going back to my house for the night. Tell the kids to call if they need anything. I’ll be back first thing in the morning.” He grabbed his keys and hopped in his truck. For the past two days he’d been squeezing in going to his house to shower and change, but tonight, he’d sleep in his own bed. He needed the space to think.

For as angry as he wanted to be at Diane, she made valid points. What the hell did he know about being a full-time parent? Lisa had been an excellent mom. She’d always had her shit together, and he’d never bothered to learn any of it. He didn’t have to; she’d had it covered.

Their kids were good people, and they were smart, in spite of all the ways Trevor might’ve fucked them up.

He was so bone-tired that he was grateful he’d bought his house in the same general neighborhood as Lisa’s. At first, she’d thought he was trying to keep tabs on her, but he’d gotten the house because he wanted to be close to the kids. Lisa had come to like the idea because the kids could get to his house after school. He’d never had a reason to go to her house.

She’d spent years making sure he understood they were divorced, but until last year, he’d held out hope that they would get back together. And since then, he’d tried to move on with his life in ways he hadn’t before. He’d started dating but had no one serious in his life. Dating was hard, and not just because so many people wanted to meet at a bar for drinks as a first date. Sometimes he felt too old for that kind of shit.

He was at the point that he could be around people who drank and be okay—until this week, anyway. Right now, he wasn’t so sure that if someone offered him a beer he’d say no. But he also knew that he couldn’t slip. Not now, with the kids counting on him.

He stripped on his way to the bathroom and took a long, hot shower. When he got out, someone was pounding on his door. His first thought was Evan and Hannah, but they had keys. So he wrapped a towel around his waist without drying and ran to the door.

Swinging the door wide without looking through the peephole, he was stunned to see Callie standing on his porch. Her hand was fisted and raised to knock again. Her eyes went wide.

“What’s wrong? Are the kids okay?”

She blinked rapidly and opened her mouth. “Uh… they’re asleep. I think.” Her gaze coasted over him and he felt the sudden urge to cover himself.

Gripping the towel at his hip, he stepped back from the door. “Come in. I’ll put on some clothes. Give me a minute.”

━━━━༻❁༺━━━━

Chapter 2

Callie needed a drink but knew Trevor wouldn’t have any alcohol in his house. She felt like a crazed woman, pounding on his door, but after overhearing Diane, she couldn’t let it go. She needed to talk to Trevor. She hadn’t expected to catch him dripping wet and mostly naked.

She felt ashamed for checking out her dead best friend’s ex-husband, but she was only human. Trevor had always been a good-looking guy, but he’d aged really well. The construction business kept his body built, and sobriety suited him. He had the bulky, toned muscle of a man who used his body every day. Unlike the gray she kept colored on her head, his sprinkling made him look more distinguished, sexy.

Callie laughed at her ridiculous thoughts. God, how she wished Lisa were here. She’d laugh with Callie and tell her that it was always okay to look as long as she didn’t touch. Trevor was hers. Until he wasn’t. Because he’d screwed up. Callie’s laugh turned slightly maniacal.

Trevor came back into the room wearing low-slung sweatpants and a T-shirt. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head and took a deep breath. “Fuck no, I’m not okay. My best friend is dead, and you’re thinking about letting her crazy-ass parents take her kids.”

“And something about that was funny?”

“No.” She rubbed a hand over her face. Jet lag was kicking her ass, so her filter was on the fritz. “I was laughing because you opened the door in a towel and I was thinking how good you look, which made me feel guilty because you’re Lisa’s husband—ex-husband. And then I thought about what she would say about all of it, and the whole conversation in my head was a little sick and twisted.” After the words poured out, she inhaled deeply again.

“So it was basically laugh hysterically or cry.”

“Pretty much.”

“Come on. I’ll make some coffee.”

“Got any decaf? I’m wired enough as it is.”

“Sure.”

He led the way into the kitchen, and she sat at the small table. Only two chairs. For some reason, that made her sad. Which almost made her laugh again, because she didn’t even have a table.

She sat in silence while he made coffee.

When the coffeepot began to sputter, he took the chair across from her. “Tell me why you’re here. How did you even know where to find me?”

“I’ve always known where you live. Lisa told me.”

“Yet she never mentioned that you live in her coach house.” Callie shrugged. She knew Lisa tried to keep most of her life away from Trevor. She’d been too worried that she’d take him back. She’d believed Trevor was her true love, but they weren’t good together. The only way to move on was to keep her distance. But saying any of that to Trevor right now seemed cruel. “I overheard Diane telling you that she wants to take the kids.”

Trevor nodded. Then he rose and filled two cups of coffee. He set a mug in front of her and turned to the fridge. “All I have is milk. No cream.”

“That’s fine.” She accepted the carton of milk and the sugar he offered. Did he remember how she took her coffee or was he just guessing? She stirred in the condiments. “You can’t do it.”

“What?”

“Let her have the kids. You know how Lisa felt about them. She would never want her parents to raise Evan and Hannah.” Her voice cracked on the last part.

Trevor remained silent, turning his coffee cup in slow circles. Callie knew she needed to convince him. Tonight. She didn’t know why it was imperative to have this discussion right now, but it was.

“How much did Lisa tell you about her childhood?” Callie asked.

“Most things, I think.”

“Then you know how much she hated the way her parents raised her.” She took a sip of coffee. “Her parents and mine were close. Best friends. That’s why Lisa and I were so close. But our parents were controlling in ways that weren’t normal. They told us how to dress, what to do, where to go. We made a pact when we were teenagers. No matter what, we’d look out for each other.”

“I don’t know anything about your parents, but Diane and Gordon aren’t monsters. It’s not like Lisa cut them out of her life.”

Like Callie had cut her parents from hers. She didn’t know if Trevor was aware of that, but his comment carried the hint. “You’re right. Lisa was always the good girl. She followed the rules, did what they wanted. The only time she ever went against their wishes was moving to Chicago with me.” She drank more coffee. “Well, and when they demanded she move home with the kids after the divorce.”

“What?”

“She never told you, huh? After the divorce, they reminded her that they told her not to move to Chicago. That she didn’t have the capacity to make good choices, as evidenced by her marriage to you. She needed to come home so they could help her.”

Trevor clamped his mouth shut. He took the news like a punch on that angled jaw.

“She didn’t talk to them for a full two years after that. For all your faults, Trevor, she never thought of you as a mistake. You taught her to be strong. She always loved you. She had faith you were going to fix yourself and be a good father.”

He rubbed roughly at his eyes. “You don’t get it, Callie. I don’t know what I’m doing with them. She took care of everything. I don’t know how to do what she did.”

“So you figure it out.”

He huffed. “Easy for you to say.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s easy to sit there and tell me what’s best for my kids. How I should man up when you have no idea what it’s like to be responsible for other people. The only person you have to worry about is yourself.”

His words stung, but they were true. Except for Lisa. She’d always worried about Lisa and the kids. “You’re right. I don’t have kids. But I also know how important it is to do what’s right. They’re not my kids, but I love them. What’s more, I know what Lisa would want.”

“Christ, Callie. What if I fuck them up? She was born to be a mom. How do you know I’m what’s best for them?”

She softened before continuing her argument. He was scared. “Let me ask you this—after the divorce, did she change her emergency contact information or the beneficiary of her life insurance policy?” Callie already knew the answer.

Trevor shook his head.

“That’s because she trusted you.”

“I don’t deserve that trust. I can’t do it.”

“Yes, you can. You’re not alone.”

“The fuck I’m not. What? Are you offering to stay and help?” His laugh was bitter. “Going to finally hang up your passport?”

“Fuck you, Trevor. I travel for work. But I’ve been here. I’ve been a part of the kids’ lives for years. More than just dropping in for birthdays and holidays. I’m one of the emergency contacts for school. Over the past year, I’ve probably had more dinners with them than you have.”

As soon as she spoke those final words, she regretted them. His face fell. It didn’t matter that she spoke the truth; she didn’t have to be an asshole about it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

He waved a hand. “You’re right. I didn’t even know you were practically living with them. It kind of proves my point, though. I might not be the best thing for them.”

“No matter what, you’re their dad. They need you far more than they need Grandma and Grandpa. Even if they mean well, which I always doubt, they will crush the kids’ spirit. Everything good that Lisa helped build in Hannah and Evan will fade.”

“You grew up in that environment, and your spirit seems to be just fine.”

“Because I fought them every step of the way and escaped the first chance I got.” She’d attempted early on to reestablish a relationship with her parents after she’d moved. She’d believed they would treat her like an adult. Instead, they’d demanded she stop acting like a child and return home.

She tried a different tactic. “What about the message you’re sending them? They just lost their mom. If you ship them off to Indiana, they’ll feel like you don’t want them.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“How would you convince them otherwise?” Callie was clinging to anything she could. She had no legal claim to those kids, but she couldn’t let Lisa down.

“I don’t know what’s right, but I want my kids to thrive. Like I told Diane, I won’t make this decision without them.”

Callie was glad he reiterated that and it hadn’t been words thrown at his in-laws. She had little doubt that the kids would choose to stay here.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Callie said, “I really miss her. It’s only been a couple of days, so maybe it’s the idea that I can’t just pick up the phone to hear her voice, but I miss her.”

“I miss her, too.” Trevor stared into her eyes, and she knew he’d been missing Lisa for a lot longer than two days.

His phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the text and clicked the phone back to sleep.

“Girlfriend?”

He shook his head. “Nina. A friend, one from the group I have coffee with.”

“From AA?”

“No. We met in a divorce support group. And we’re just friends.”

“No one special in your life?” She didn’t know why she asked. She knew that Lisa had dated periodically over the past few years, but the kids had never mentioned any of Trevor’s girlfriends. Part of Callie worried that he was still pining for Lisa.

He chuffed. “Dating sucks.”

“Tell me about it.”

“You can walk into any bar and have men talking to you within seconds.”

“Been there, done that. It gets old.” She smiled. “Like us.”

“Why didn’t you ever settle down and get married?”

She hated that question, so she offered her prepared answer. “Hard to have a lasting relationship when I travel. I’ve found most men don’t trust that I can be faithful when I’m thousands of miles away.” It was mostly true. She didn’t need to mention that she’d thought she’d found her partner, once, someone who really understood her. But like everyone else, he’d made demands she couldn’t live with. So she’d filled her schedule with so many jobs she wouldn’t have time for a serious relationship.

* * *

The entire day had been brutal. Trevor had woken up early and gotten dressed for the service before heading back to Lisa’s house. Diane had the kids up and ready, but they dragged their feet. The service had been everything Diane had wanted but had reminded him nothing of Lisa.

Callie’s words from the previous night had started to sink in. He didn’t speak at the service because he felt that it was no longer his place, but as everyone else stood and told stories about Lisa, Callie came to his side and took his hand.

The distance of the years and the alcohol-faded memories had made him forget what a good friend she’d been. Not just to Lisa, but to him as well.

The New Beginnings crew—man, he’d always hated that nickname—came to the service to support him even though they’d never met Lisa. They’d created a protective bubble around him, and for a few minutes, he could breathe.

But now the service was over, as well as the luncheon, and it was time to go home. He needed to talk to the kids about Diane’s offer, but he had no idea where to start. So he drove back to Lisa’s house in silence. Diane and Gordon’s car was already in the driveway.

His fingers flexed on the steering wheel of his pickup truck. Callie slid him a look from the passenger seat. The kids seemed to take no notice of the additional tension. When he parked, they all continued to sit in silence, staring at the house. Hannah whispered, “It’s weird not seeing her car here.” Lisa’s car had been totaled when she’d lost control in the rain.

After a deep breath, Trevor cut the engine and opened his door. Callie did the same.

On the curb, he said to her, “Thanks for your support today. I know I’m not your favorite person. It means a lot. Made it easier.”

“Trevor, I don’t hate you.” She gave him a sad smile. “At first, part of me might’ve hated you a little. You hurt her. But you have your shit together. I don’t have the energy to harbor bad feelings. Life’s too short.”

She blinked back tears, and Trevor had the urge to pull her to him to comfort her the way she had him, but the kids finally pushed the truck doors open and climbed out.

Diane stood in the doorway, arms crossed in her usual pose. “What are you waiting for?”

Hannah dragged her feet toward the front door. Callie stepped away to go through the backyard. Trevor and Evan followed Hannah, who froze at the top of the steps. Diane held the door open.

His daughter’s shoulders hunched, and she turned back to Trevor. “I can’t.”

“You can’t what, baby?”

“I can’t go in. It’s real now. She’s never coming home.” Her lips trembled.

Diane tsked. “It’s your home. You spent the last two nights here without a problem.”

Trevor grabbed Hannah by the shoulders. “What do you want?”

“Can we just go to your house?” Trevor looked at Evan, who shrugged, and then to Diane. Her eyes narrowed. He glanced at Callie, who had halted her progress to the coach house to watch the scene unfold.

“We can do whatever you want. Do you need to get some things, or do you have enough at my house?”

“I have enough. I’m just not ready.”

“It’s okay.” He completely understood the concept of not being ready. He was unprepared for all of this.

With an arm around Hannah, he said, “Diane, the kids and I are going to spend the night at my house. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Trevor, we have things to deal with.”

“I’m well aware. It’ll keep.” He asked Evan, “You need to get anything?”

Evan looked at his grandmother and then at Trevor. “I’m good.”

While the kids didn’t have duplicates of everything at his house, they each had a room and they kept clothes there so they wouldn’t have to pack a bag whenever they came over. He’d tried to make his house as much a home as he could.

When he turned back to his truck, Callie was already moving away to go home. He considered inviting her, but that would just cause more trouble with Diane. The kids jumped back into the truck, this time with Evan in the front seat. Suddenly a million thoughts crashed into him. They had a few weeks left until the end of the school year. He knew that even if the kids decided to go with Diane, they wouldn’t go now. And next year Evan would be a senior. He wouldn’t want to switch to a new school. Fuck. He’d called the school after the accident when he had to pull them out to go the hospital, but what now? Was he supposed to send them back on Monday? Should they stay home and grieve?

He needed to go back to work. His crew had been carrying the weight of the restaurant remodel for the last few days, and the customer was understanding, but he couldn’t leave his life on hold.

He pulled up in front of his house. “I need to go to the store. There’s not much to eat here.”

Evan side-eyed him. “Grocery shopping in a suit? You might want to change.”

“Good point. Then again, I look damn fine in a suit.” Trevor chuckled.

Hannah jumped out of the truck. “That’s false advertising. Some poor woman will look at you like that and start drooling only to be disappointed that your normal wardrobe is work boots and jeans.”

“Point taken.” The brief conversation eased his need to run. As soon as they were in the house, the kids disappeared into their rooms. That was where they normally went when they came over. How the hell was he supposed to know if this was okay?

He changed and then knocked on each of their doors to let them know he was leaving and to see if there was anything they wanted. They were both sitting in bed on their phones.

“I’m going to swing by the job site to make sure I’m still on track. Okay?”

Hannah looked up at him. “Okay. Don’t forget to get stuff for dinner and lunch this week.” Lunch? He had no idea what they ate for lunch. “Text me a list of what you need.”

When he repeated himself for Evan, he got a wave. The boy didn’t even look up from the phone. It irritated the hell out of him, but Trevor dismissed a lot of it as typical teenager crap.

There was so much for him to say that he was overwhelmed. For the moment, his kids were fine, and that was all that mattered, so conversations about what happened next could wait.

When he got to the job site, the guys were rolling up for the day.

His foreman, Jerry, met him outside. “What are you doing here?”

“Services are over. Kids are at my house, and I need food. I figured I’d stop by here and check things out.”

“We’re good. Everything’s on schedule. Inspection on Monday will be a breeze.”

“Thanks for keeping it on track. I’ll be here for the inspection.”

“I can handle it.”

Trevor knew Jerry would be fine. He’d started years ago as Trevor’s right hand. He could run the crew as well as Trevor. “I know. I need to be here. The superintendent will expect to see me.”

“You’re the boss.”

“I’m going in. Enjoy your weekend.”

“You, too.” Jerry paused. “I mean…”

“I know what you mean.”

Trevor walked into the closed restaurant. The electricians were already gone, and plumbers were finishing up, too. The superintendent, however, was nowhere to be seen. Trevor went to the back to check the kitchen. The room was in shambles, but the walls were all roughed-in, plumbing was in place. He saw nothing to raise concerns about passing inspection on Monday. Jerry was right. Everything was on schedule.

As he went back to his truck, Trevor looked up at the building. There had been a time not that long ago when he would have never considered taking on a job this size. Now it was routine.

By the time he got to the store, Hannah had sent him a long and detailed list of items to get. His cart was fuller than it had ever been in any store. Except a supply house, of course. Lisa had always told him that teenagers ate a lot. He’d seen it when they were with him, but he hadn’t considered what it would be like to buy food for a whole week.

He looked at his cart again. Was this a whole week’s worth of groceries?

As he stood in line to pay, his phone buzzed with another text. Damn. He didn’t want to go back to find anything else.

Is it okay if I invite Callie over?

Trevor stared at the text. Before he could respond, Hannah continued.

She’s sad, too, and probably all alone.

He sighed.

Go ahead, but don’t pressure her. She might not be up for it.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he began loading food onto the conveyor belt. Looked like Callie was going to be in his life again. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that. She’d been a friend for many years, but Lisa got her in the divorce. Of course, Lisa and Callie had been childhood friends, but he’d met them both at the same time. Callie had meant a lot to him. In fact, in another life, he might’ve ended up married to her instead of Lisa. But in the beginning, in the crucial get-to-know-you phase, Callie was always taking off to travel. Lisa had been here.

Now Callie was back and his feelings were a bit muddled, but he didn’t have time to sort out his emotions with everything else going on. He’d take whatever help she offered.

* * *

Callie stared at the text from Hannah. Her instinct was to accept the invitation. But they were at Trevor’s house. Her phone buzzed with another text. This time Hannah sent Trevor’s address. She debated asking if Trevor knew Hannah had invited her. She didn’t want the kids to think there was any tension or bad feelings between her and Trevor, but she also didn’t want to crash his house without his knowledge.

Does your dad know you invited me?

Yep. He’s cool.

Okay. I’ll make dinner. Be there soon.

She left her house quietly so she wouldn’t draw any attention. She stopped at the store and picked up ingredients for tacos. When she pulled up at Trevor’s house, his truck wasn’t outside, and she had the sneaking suspicion that she’d been lied to.

With groceries in hand, she went to the front door. Hannah answered.

“Where’s your dad?”

“Grocery shopping. He has like nothing to eat here. What’d you bring?”

“Tacos.”

“Thank God. I’m starving.”

They went to the kitchen together, and Callie pulled food from the bags. She looked around the kitchen in a way she hadn’t last night. It was a nice place. Not fancy, but clean lines, sturdy wood. So different from the lived-in feel of Lisa’s house, where things were often falling apart.

Hannah helped without being asked. She grabbed a frying pan and pulled out a knife.

“How are you holding up?” Callie asked.

“Okay, I guess. It was too hard to be at home. She’s all over the house.” Hannah began chopping the onion. “And Grandma…”

Callie stiffened. “What about your grandma?”

“You know how she is.”

Callie nodded but didn’t comment. “You know what we need? Some music.” She pulled out her phone and opened her music app.

“I have speakers. Hold on.” Hannah ran out of the room, and Callie heard her thumping up the steps.

A moment later, she was back with two small speakers. She hooked them to the phone. Music filled the kitchen. The first song that shuffled through was “Born in the USA” by Springsteen. Callie dumped ground beef into the frying pan while singing.

They worked in silence as they added the onions and seasoning to the beef. The song switched to “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. Callie paused the song.

“Okay, you have to hear this. Your mother loved this song. Like completely adored it and would listen to it on loop for hours. Drove me crazy. We were tiny when the song released, but she found the album and fell in love. Your grandma hated it. To this day, I think she’d cringe if she heard it. She felt it was a bad influence on your mother.” Callie left out the part where Diane had taken the cassette tape from Lisa. And how Callie had gotten her a new one that she’d kept hidden and only listened to on her Walkman.

“She almost never talked about what her life was like growing up.”

“I guess I’ll have to share all of her secrets then.”

Hannah smiled, and Callie pressed the play button and turned the volume up. Then she and Hannah sang and danced in the kitchen while stirring the taco meat. They were having so much fun that they didn’t hear Trevor come in.

When Callie spun in her dance, the sight of Trevor in the doorway startled her, and she nearly dropped the spatula. The song wound down, so Callie lowered the volume again.

Trevor continued to stare at her.

“Sorry. We didn’t hear you.”

“Dad. Did you know that was one of Mom’s favorite songs?”

Trevor’s jaw muscle clenched, and he cleared his throat. “Yeah. I did. Can you get your brother to help you with the rest of the groceries?”

“Sure.” Again the teen ran from the room.

Callie lowered the flame on the stove. “Hannah told me you knew she invited me.”

“I did.”

“Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “When I came in…” He released a long, slow breath. “Seeing you dance around with Hannah to that song. I wasn’t prepared.”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you.”

“No,” he said quickly. “It was the look of happiness on Hannah’s face. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see that smile again.” He neared and set a bag on the counter. “Thank you,” he added quietly.

“I wasn’t thinking. The song came on and you’re right, I can’t hear that song without thinking of Lisa, so I shared it with her daughter.”

“I think we all need that reminder. She would want them to laugh.”

“I agree.” She turned back to dinner because if she didn’t, she might start to cry again. After the service, she’d been afraid of being alone. For the first time in her life, she’d felt empty when she’d walked into her living room. Being here with Trevor and the kids eased that feeling.

“Hannah sent me to the store with a huge list. I got stuff for dinner.”

“I told her I’d make dinner when she texted. Tacos.”

“I didn’t know you cook.”

“I’ve picked up a few things here and there on my travels.”

“I guess that beats my frozen pizza or sub sandwiches.”

“Spoken like a true bachelor.”

“Takes one to know one.”

“True.”

“Listen. I’m going to talk to the kids tonight about Diane’s offer. Will you stay?”

She nodded. She was touched that he would ask. “Whatever you need.”

The kids came in loaded with bags. They set everything on the kitchen table.

She handed the spatula to Trevor. “Here. Stir. Let’s see what you bought.”

The bags had lots of easy-to-prepare meals. Lunch meat. Bread. Peanut butter. Jelly. Cereal. Looked like he planned for the kids to stay here at his house. Callie wondered what that meant for her living situation. She’d have to talk to Trevor about that. If she needed to find an apartment, she’d have to start looking.

She took care of the refrigerated items since there was only one place to put them. The kids handled the nonperishables while they discussed the merits of the brands Trevor had bought. When the bags were empty, the kids moved to leave the room.

“Don’t go far. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” she said. She and Trevor prepared the rest of the meal, putting shells on the table along with chips and salsa and guacamole. She shredded some lettuce and chopped tomatoes while Trevor put the meat in a bowl for the table.

Callie loved the idea of a family-style meal. However, they didn’t have enough chairs. “Do you have more chairs?”

“When the kids are here, we usually have pizza in the living room. Uh…”

“Don’t worry. We can fill our plates here and take them in the other room.”

“See? This is what I’m talking about. I can’t even handle dinner.”

She ran a hand down his arm. “You’re doing fine.”

“Not true, but thanks. I’ll call the kids. You might want to make a plate before they come down. This’ll be gone in a blink.”

As if on cue, Callie’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten much at the luncheon after the service, so she was starving. She loaded a plate. Trevor’s voice boomed in the other room. She munched on a chip while the kids and Trevor got their food.

When they were all settled in the living room, Trevor wasted no time in opening the discussion. “We need to talk about what happens next.”

“What do you mean?” Evan asked. He crunched on a taco.

“Your grandparents made an offer, and I think you should know about it.” At the mention of Diane and Gordon, the kids froze. “They’d like you to come live with them.”

Evan dropped his taco and Hannah put her plate on the floor in front of her. The kids looked at each other, and then turned to Trevor.

“Hell, no,” Evan said at the same time Hannah asked, “Don’t you want us?”

“Crap. No. I mean, yes. Fuck.” He put his food down and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Your mom always knew what she was doing with you guys.”

Callie snorted, and Trevor shot her a look.

“I have no idea how to do this. Your grandma brought up the idea that she’d like you to move in with them.”

“That’s bullshit. Next year is my senior year. All our friends are here.”

Hannah’s eyes became glassy, but she didn’t talk.

“I’m not saying that you have to go. Or that I want you to go. I want you to know it’s an option.”

“So we can stay with you?” Hannah asked in a small voice.

“Of course.”

“Then we’re staying,” she said emphatically. “Right?” she added with a look at her older brother.

“Yeah.”

“Okay,” Trevor said, the tight feeling in his chest loosening. He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted the kids to choose him.

Hannah smiled, and Evan returned his focus to his dinner.

Trevor picked up his plate. “Then the next thing we need to talk about is where we’ll live. I can’t afford to pay two mortgages.”

Callie scooted forward on the couch. This wasn’t her conversation to have, but the outcome would affect her.

“You guys can move in here permanently, and we can sell the other house.”

Callie wasn’t surprised that he led with that option. He’d said he’d slept on the couch at Lisa’s. He obviously hadn’t been comfortable sleeping in her room. She also knew that he’d intentionally purchased his house in the same neighborhood so it wouldn’t interfere with the kids getting to and from school or their friends’ from his house.

When no one said anything, he continued. “Or we can sell both houses and find something new. A fresh start.”

“As long as I can bring all my stuff, I don’t care which house we live in,” Evan said.

“But what about Callie?” Hannah asked.

“Don’t worry about me,” she said.

Trevor looked at her. When their eyes met, it was like he hadn’t even thought of her. And why would he? She wasn’t his problem.

“Well, if we decide to sell that house, it’ll take some time. It needs some work before it can even go on the market. I’m not going to throw Callie out on the street.”

Callie smiled. “I can start looking for a place.”

“Can’t we stay there?” Hannah asked.

Trevor leaned back on the couch. He was trying to cover being uncomfortable. “I suppose we could. It still needs work, though.”

“I think we should live there.”

Callie set her plate on the coffee table. “Hannah, honey, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. It’s not like I’ll be homeless.”

“But if we’re here, you won’t be with us.”

Callie didn’t know what to say. She’d never considered the impact her presence had on the kids.

“We have some time to think about it,” Trevor said. “And no matter where Callie is living, she’ll always be welcome to come over.”

“It won’t be the same,” Hannah mumbled as she picked up her plate again.

They all dropped into silence, and it was killing Callie. “Well, I think the conversation has been heavy enough. Big decisions were made. Let’s talk about something fun. What’s going on with school?”

Evan popped the rest of his third taco in his mouth. “School’s not fun.”

“I think you and Dad should tell us some more fun stories about Mom.” Hannah looked up at Evan. “Did you know Mom’s favorite song was ‘Dancing Queen’? And that Grandma hates it?”

“Now I know what to add to my playlist,” Evan said.

Callie’s eyes popped. “I didn’t share that with you to use against your grandma.”

Trevor laughed. “It might be fun to watch.”

Callie couldn’t hold back her own laugh. “You would think that, because she’d blame me.”

“So what? You know you get off on being the troublemaker.”

Absolutely not what gets me off. The flirtatious answer almost slipped past her lips, but Evan and Hannah were watching the interaction with rapt attention. Callie turned to them. “I am not a troublemaker.”

“Really? What about the time you got us thrown out of Renaissance Faire?” Trevor prodded.

Evan shot out of his seat. “Wait. Don’t say anything until I get back. I want to hear this.”

“The juggler was wrong. He had no business getting us thrown out.”

“Wait for me,” Evan yelled.

Trevor had a glint in his eyes. She knew sharing this story was supposed to embarrass her, but if it made the kids smile and laugh and brought some joy in thinking about Lisa, she would do that all night.

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My Best Friend's Ex