Beth nods. “Poor guy. Spread the word. Maybe we can collect a few dollars from everyone today and send him a fruit basket or something.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat and make my way to the door. “That’s a great idea, Beth. I’ll let everyone know.”

I head down to my classroom and close the door. Pulling my phone out of my purse, I see there’s a new text from Jaxon.

Jaxon: Good morning, beautiful. Call me when you get this.

I click on his name and he answers on the first ring. “Hey.”

“Beth just told me about your grandfather. Jaxon, I’m so sorry. You should’ve called me.”

“I didn’t want to wake you.” He sounds tired. “Figured I’d catch you before you got to work and saw that I wasn’t there.”

“What happened?”

“The doctor at the nursing home said he had a stroke. They tried to revive him but … I guess his body was too weak.”

My heart strains in my chest. “I wish I could be with you right now.”

“Me too, babe.”

“When’s the wake?”

“My mom’s on the phone with the funeral home now.”

“Text me when you have the information.”

“I will.”

The bell rings and I frown. “I’ll call you when I get out of work.”

“Okay. Have a good day, gorgeous.”

I sigh. “I’m really sad about your grandfather.”

“So am I. He would’ve been happy to know that we’re together. He liked you.”

I smile as tears prick my eyes. The morning bell cuts into our conversation and I groan. “Gotta go. I’ll call you after work.”

I walk into the funeral home alone.

Jaxon didn’t want everyone from school showing up to pay their respects, so he told Beth it was a private service.

“You don’t have to come,” he’d told me earlier. “I know you want to keep things between us a secret, and I understand.”

But I couldn’t bear the thought of not being beside him to hold his hand through this. So I swallowed my nerves and showed up.

I linger at the back of the room, spotting Jaxon with his family by the casket. Samuel looks at peace. At least he’s with his wife now.

I wait for the crowd to clear before making my way toward Jaxon. Relief floods his face as soon as he sees me, and he wraps me in his arms.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispers.

“I wouldn’t let you go through this alone.”

He sighs against my hair, holding me to his chest.

I pull back to look at him. Dark circles underline his bloodshot eyes. Lifting my hand, I caress his cheek. “I took the day off tomorrow so I can come with you to the funeral.”