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?"

on the other

then quickly tried to smooth things over. "Honestly, can't they come up with

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

were too busy doting on their

Cliff's heart sank.

could only mean... he

Damn it-

he really

what would happen if those two showed up together in front of Murray, all

Inside the house.

darkness and flipped on the

throat was parched. Almost without thinking, he called toward the kitchen,

He waited. No answer.

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

dragged himself off the couch

filter, gulped down two glasses

head was

shuffled back to

onto

a dull,

at

ache, made worse by

drinking.

drawer under the coffee table, where he found his

say his stomach was terrible, that he'd come home after a night out and just crash on he couch, so she kept

He never listened.