When I didn’t respond, another message appeared.
Adam: There’s a situation at work, and I have to leave. I need to see you before I go.
Relief settled over me. This was going to be easier than I thought.
Me: Have a safe flight.
There was a thud on my door, presumably his forehead, moments before his bedroom door slammed shut across the hall. He got the message.
After Grayson, Josie, and Harrison left that afternoon, I had dinner with Liam before returning to my room to video-call Finn. We chatted until he grew tired of my never-ending questions, then promptly disappeared when his favorite television show came on.
Dad appeared in his place. “He’s doing fine.”
I offered him a solemn smile. “I know. I just miss him so much.”
“He misses you, too, sweetie,” he said as a squeal of laughter sounded from the living room behind him.
I rolled my eyes. “Clearly.”
“Well, he does. I do, too.” After an awkward pause, my father continued, “How’s it all going there?”
“Liam’s so great, Dad. I think you’d like him.”
“And the family?”
“They’re…a handful.”
“Well, in a month, it will all be over, and you’ll never have to see them again.”
My heart dipped unexpectedly. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Thanksgiving won’t be the same without you, squirt.”
Emotion surged through my body. “We’ll make up for it at Christmas.” I held back tears as I blew him a kiss. “I’ll speak to you Thursday.”
“Bye, Cass.”
Once I closed my laptop, my cell phone burst into song.
“Everything okay?” Amy asked the moment the phone hit my ear.
I wiped away my tears. “I’m fine, Ames.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. What’s going on?”
“I’m missing Finn, that’s all.”
“Are you sure that’s all of it?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? My boss is dying.”
“Ha-ha. You live in a very morbid world, Cassidy Ryan.”
“I wouldn’t go pointing fingers, weirdo.”
“Well, my Spidey senses told me to check in with my sister, but if everything’s okay…I’ll get back to my half-naked boyfriend.”
“Ames…” I grimaced. “Please tell me you weren’t in the middle of having sex when you had to stop and call me?”