Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 843

But... the family portrait was taken, the parents were introduced, and they even spent the holidays together!

Unlike last time, when all she posted was a picture of the food, with just the edge of Roseanne's chin sneaking into the frame-this time, it was official. Everyone was there, standing together, smiling for the camera.

It wasn't just a casual get-together anymore. With this kind of display, they might as well be planning the wedding.

No wonder Murray was losing his mind.

Cliff mulled it over, then decided to call Corley, hoping to fish for some answers.

If... if he'd misunderstood and Roseanne meeting Corley's parents wasn't what it seemed, then maybe Murray could stop drowning his sorrows in whiskey.

"Corley, happy New Year! Figured I'd call and say it in person."

On the other end: "Happy New Year, Cliff."

"Celebrating with your folks? Pass my regards to your parents, will you?"

"Thanks, I will."

"Our families live just a couple blocks apart. Hang tight, I'll swing by and drop off a couple bottles of good wine-"

"No need, I'm not at the Hawthorne house."

"Huh?" Cliff's eyes flickered. "Then where are you?"

"With my grandparents."

"Ohhh-" He feigned sudden understanding. "This wine really is something special, though. Maybe I'll just drop some off for your folks. You can have a glass when you're back. So, spending the holidays with your grandparents-don't tell me they've been bugging you about settling down?"

the

quickly tried to smooth things over. "Honestly, can't they come up with something new? Every year it's the same old questions, over and

laugh. "Compared to you, I've got it easy. They didn't bring it up this

doting on their long-lost

Cliff's heart sank.

about marriage? That could

Damn it-

he really

imagine what would happen if those two showed up together in front of Murray, all sweet and cozy. The guy would go completely off

Inside the house.

the darkness and flipped on

the way home had sobered him up, but his throat was parched. Almost without thinking, he called toward the kitchen, "Sadie, could you get me a glass of

He waited. No answer.

remember-it was the holidays, and Sadie had gone back to her hometown a few

himself off the couch and headed to the

glasses in a row before the

his head was

to the

collapsed onto

up, a dull, twisting

gnawing at

ache, made

drinking.

under the coffee table, where he found his

was terrible, that he'd come home after a night out and

He never listened.