When We Fall by Emily Liebert

Elizabeth forced a smile just as the phone rang.
    â€œFor God’s sake, is there never any peace and quiet to be had around here?” Charlotte picked up the receiver. “Hello . . . Hi, Sabrina . . . I’m just tied up. . . . You’re kidding. . . . Okay . . . Hold on. . . .” She covered the mouthpiece with her hand and whispered to Elizabeth and Allison, “I have to take this. I’ll be super quick.”
    Charlotte slipped out of the room, loath to leave them alone together, and twenty minutes passed before she returned to find Allison and Elizabeth sitting at the kitchen table engrossed in a lively conversation—Elizabeth in Charlotte’s chair, eating her salad and a slice of quiche. Why not?
    â€œWe thought you’d skipped town.” Elizabeth smirked. She was sitting cross-legged on Charlotte’s elegant linen chair, coiling Gruyère cheese around her fork like a toddler.
    â€œNope, I’m here.” She bristled, hoping Elizabeth would get up. Or move over. Or, better yet, come back later. She turned to Allison. “I’m so sorry. Sabrina and I were supposed to go on this girls’ trip to Canyon Ranch after Christmas and now she can’t make it. I doubt the resort will give us a full refund. Not to mention that I could
really
use a few days away. The whole thing is a nightmare.”
    â€œNightmare,”
Elizabeth deadpanned, and Charlotte glared at her.
    â€œThat’s a bummer. A spa trip does sound really nice,” Allison empathized.
    â€œWhy don’t you come?” The words fell out of her mouth before she could even think about what she was suggesting. But it really was the perfect solution. “It’s not a long drive and it’s only a few days. What do you think?” Charlotte smiled sanguinely.
    â€œWow, I don’t know. . . .” Allison looked at Elizabeth and then again at Charlotte, who realized she was probably wondering why she hadn’t asked her sister first.
    â€œCome on! It’ll be so much fun. . . .”
And it’ll drive Sabrina completely mad.
    â€œThe thing is, my parents leave for their house in California after New Year’s, and they’re there into March. I know my mom has to come back for a few days for a friend’s surgery, but it’s not until the end of January. I don’t have anyone to watch Logan.”
    â€œHe can stay with me.” Charlie strolled into the room sporting a bathrobe and an unshaven face. Charlotte couldn’t help but wonder how long he’d been eavesdropping or notice how cute he looked in his bathrobe. She blushed on his behalf. “Sorry for the casual attire. I had a six a.m. conference call.” He kissed Allison on the cheek. “How are you, Lizzy?”
    â€œSo much better now that you’re here,” she mocked, and he ignored her.
    â€œI could never impose in that way.” Allison shifted awkwardly in her chair, likely waiting for Charlotte to weigh in. But what could she say? The shock of Charlie offering to care for someone else’s child when he barely managed to care for his own had unexpectedly sidetracked her.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous. It’ll be fun! I need some more testosterone around here anyway.”
    â€œI’d have to ask Logan. I don’t know what to say.”
    â€œSay yes,” Charlie urged.
    â€œIs it okay with you?” Allison turned to Charlotte.
    â€œI guess.” She nodded her head vaguely. “I mean, yeah. That’s great.”
    â€œThen it’s settled. Allison will go on the trip with you.” Charlie picked a mushroom out of the salad with his fingers. “And I’ll play Mr. Mom for the weekend.”

Chapter 8
    â€œH onestly, I’m not sure what to make of the whole thing.” Allison reached across the table to pluck a hard-boiled egg from her mom’s chef