Page 59

But I could and was about to speak when Colin continued.

“Or, better yet, why don’t you just come home with me?We have a huge house and a separate apartment in the basement.We designed it for James’s younger brother Danny who stayed a hot minute before moving in with Rob and his kids.So it’s available.We’ve got your stuff in my SUV?—”

“Or he could come and stay with me.I’ve got room.”I met Phillip’s gaze head-on.“You and Wally have both been in my place.You’ll be more comfortable.We can fashion up a bed for Wally—or he can sleep with you.In the morning, we can head to Bales and Bowls to replenish Wally’s missing stuff.”

“Oh God.”He rubbed his face.“I hadn’t even thought of all he’s lost.I don’t have the money?—”

“I do.”Me.

“I can help.”Colin.

Okay, so Phillip had other friends to help him replace whatever he’d lost.Was it wrong I wanted to be the one he turned to?

Finally, he pulled his hand away from his eyes and met my gaze.“I can really stay with you?”

I pressed a hand over my heart.“I’d love for you to stay.”Hopefully not sounding too desperate.

“Yeah, okay.”

Not overly enthusiastic…but I’d take it for the win.

Chapter15

Phillip

“Are you certain about this?”Colin hefted one of the boxes we’d retrieved in LA.“I was serious about my offer to come stay with us.Or you could go to the shelter, and we can take Wally.Or?—”

“I’m really okay with it.Jeremy’s…a good friend.”I try not to let the catch in my breath be too audible.

Things hadn’t sunk in.

The firefighter said something about faulty electrical wiring.In a wall.Certainly not something James would’ve known about, and nothing I could’ve foreseen.

Except maybe that I was cursed.That I was bad luck.Maybe if some other tenant had been here, they might’ve spotted the fire and put it out with the fire extinguisher.The extinguisher I’d known about.James and Anthony had provided me with an extensive tour—including all the safety features of the house.So I’d known where the extinguisher was.

Only I’d been in LA picking up all my stuff.The stuff that was now all I owned in the world.Crammed into four boxes and one duffel bag.All those new things Anthony had bought were gone.All of Wally’s things were gone.

Thank Christ I hadn’t left him alone today.

My heart lurched.

He would’ve died.

I would never have forgiven myself.

Likely, I would’ve tried to kill myself again.Guilt, I understood.Guilt, that would’ve consumed me.Guilt, the one thing I couldn’t live with.

“Phillip?”Colin cleared his throat.

“He could’ve died.”I managed to choke out the words—but barely.

Colin frantically looked around.For a place to put the box?To get away from this weeping man/child?

I couldn’t be certain.

“Hey.”Jeremy was there again, without Wally.He eased the box I was trying to carry back into Colin’s SUV, then he pulled me into a hug.“You’re okay.Wally’s okay.I got him settled in my place.A little overwrought—what with his day at the daycare and now all the excitement.The smoke smell isn’t too bad in my place, so he should be safe there.I’m super lucky the wind was blowing the other direction.”

I choked out, “I’m glad.”I was, even if I felt numb right now.