“No, because he doesn’t love me.”
An exasperated groan filled Rylie’s ear.
“Someone has to say it first, you know.” Brooke’s formerly patient tone was wearing a little thin. “Maybe he’s in love with you, and he’s afraid to say it.”
“You really think so?” He hadn’t mentioned Carlie, lately. Was it possible Brooke was right?
“The important thing is to be absolutely honest, Rylie, whether he loves you or not. I guess I wasn’t clear before, but in your case, being honest means telling Jarrett you love him. You’re not responsible for his actions after you tell him. But even if he doesn’t love you back, do you really think Jarrett’s the kind of man who would get upset and destroy your marriage? Especially if it meant losing Gabe?”
“No, I guess not.”
“So, you’ll tell him?”
“Just thinking about telling him is giving me a heart attack.”
“You can do this.”
Easy for you to say.
“It would have to be exactly the right time,” Rylie countered. “I can’t just blurt it out.”
“Maybe the next time he kisses you.”
“No, my brain turns to mush.”
Brooke chuckled. “How about the next time he says anything about being attracted to you.”
“Does he have to use that exact word?”
“Rylie!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll tell him.”
“Good.”
“Does it have to be loud enough for him to hear?”
“Rylie!”
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
Ughh. Just shoot me now.
CHAPTER 20
“Matthew called. He wants us to come to his office this afternoon. He heard from Elaina, and he wants to talk to us in person.” Heart racing, Jarrett paced in the opening of Rylie’s cubicle. It was after four o’clock on Thursday afternoon. “I’ve been in meetings all day, and I just got the message.”
“Elaina? Gabe’s caseworker?” Rylie was on her feet, the blood draining from her face. “Is it bad news?”
Jarrett opened his arms and she fell against him. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
Her entire body trembled with the same fear that filled his gut. He squeezed tighter, drawing strength from her as he gave his. How quickly he’d grown accustomed to having her as his partner. How had he made it on his own for thirty-six years?
Rylie was quiet on the drive to the office, probably as lost in worries as he was. Why had the caseworker contacted Matthew? Had Jarrett’s application for permanent adoption been denied? If she’d seen an issue, why hadn’t she talked to Jarrett and Rylie first, to give them a chance to correct it? Was her decision final or was there someone higher up? Would Gabe still be allowed to stay with Jarrett and Rylie until his chemotherapy was complete?
“I hope it wasn’t something I did,” Rylie murmured. “I’d never forgive myself.”
He reached for her hand, wresting it away from her lap, and laced their fingers together. “We’re a team, Rylie. We worked together and we did our best to love Gabe and give him a good home. This isn’t the time to blame anyone or take on guilt you don’t deserve. And even if we’ve lost this battle, I’m not giving up. There has to be some sort of appeal process.”
“I’m trying to remember, but I can’t… Was I snarky around Elaina? Maybe she thought I wasn’t taking it seriously.”
“You weren’t snarky at all. You barely even spoke.”
“Was I too quiet? She probably thought I was stuck up.”
He tightened his grip on her hand. “You were fine. If anything, it was because of me. Maybe she didn’t like my cologne.”
“No. Your cologne is yummy. She probably noticed the awful colors in the master bedroom.”
He liked the yummy comment, but left it alone. “The master bedroom… that must be it. One eyeful and Elaina wrote us off as nuts. Fluorescent red and orange.”
“Don’t forget the turquoise.”
“Even worse,” Jarrett added, though he had no idea what color turquoise was.
“The other couple won’t love him as much as we do.” He heard a sniff and glanced over to see tear tracks on her face.
