Page 86 of Unexpected

“Exactly what I said. I don’t want it.” I stood. “Now, if we’re finished here, I have somewhere else I need to be.”

She stood as well, walking me to the door. “I believe you still have some belongings at the Black residence.”

I nodded. “That’s right.”

I hadn’t wanted to go back. Hadn’t wanted to risk seeing Cal again. Or worse still—Cal and Alexis together.

“Can you pick up your things tomorrow—say between six and eight in the evening?”

“That’s fine,” I said.

“Goodbye, Preston.” She extended her hand to shake. “I’m disappointed things turned out the way they did, but I wish you luck all the same.”

“Thanks, Renata.”

The door shut behind me, and I loosened my tie as I headed for my car. Traffic sucked, and by the time I arrived at the hospital, the meal I’d picked up was cold. Still, Indy seemed grateful.

“Thanks, Preston,” she said, taking the bag from me.

“How is he?” I asked as we shuffled down the hall toward Sam’s room.

“Better. They removed the breathing tube today. We’re hoping he’ll get to go home soon.”

“That’s great news.”

She paused before we reached his room. “Preston.” She placed her hand on my bicep. “I just want to thank you for all you’ve done. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

I kept my gaze on the linoleum floor. “I just wish there was more I could’ve done.”

I still hadn’t worked up the courage to tell her he’d reached out to me the night…the night when... I swallowed. I didn’t know how to tell her. I didn’t think I could. I felt like if I’d just answered the phone, maybe I could’ve talked Sam out of it.

“You don’t think I wonder the same thing—about myself?” she asked. “It breaks my heart that he feels like life isn’t worth living. And the thought of losing him—” She choked on a sob.

I wrapped my arms around her. “You’re going to get through this.” I squeezed. “You will.”

She nodded. “Thanks to you and your friendship, we will.”

I didn’t think I could feel worse, but somehow, I did. My eyes were gritty from lack of sleep, but it was my heart that felt raw.

* * *

“Okay,”Kate said the following afternoon as she placed another box in the trunk. “I think that’s it.”

“Thanks. And thanks for coming with me.” I took one last glance at the house, surprised by how dark it was. Alexis’s car wasn’t in the driveway, and I was pretty sure no one was home. Where were they?

“Don’t worry about it.” She patted me on the back before climbing in the passenger seat.

“So…” she said as we drove across town. “You want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” I turned up the radio, wanting some background noise other than the road. She was quiet for the rest of the drive home.

When we got back to the apartment, I kicked off my shoes and flopped down on the couch. I switched on the TV, and HGTV immediately came on.Ugh. I wasn’t in the mood forChristina on the Coast.Anything but watching her and Ant and the—

“Hey, hey, hey,” Hunter said when he emerged from the bathroom.

I whipped my head around to face him. “What are you doing here?”

“Kate told me you were moping.”