When Least Expected by Allison B. Hanson

viewing? She just went to the car and waited for Ian to drive her home like she was some kind of princess.” His mother tapped the spoon on the side of the pot. “She’s no princess, let me tell you. The boy is miserable. He was never miserable when he was with you.”
    â€œTrust me, I made him plenty miserable. So miserable he left, remember?” Lexi said sadly. He fought the urge to rush in there and hold her until she didn’t sound sad anymore.
    â€œIt wasn’t you, sweetheart. It was him.”
    â€œNo. It was me. I turned into a crazy person, and before I knew it, I scared him away.”
    â€œI still think it’s not right that teenage girls get pregnant and struggle to take care of their children and the two of you tried so hard and couldn’t conceive. There’s just something wrong about that.”
    â€œLife is unfair.”
    â€œYou could have adopted,” his mother suggested. His heart seized in his chest. He was the one who had been resistant to adoption. Every time she’d mentioned it, he’d suggested they try again. He had been under some delusion that they had to have their own child. He’d selfishly wanted the experience of seeing her grow round with his child. It seemed so stupid now.
    â€œIt didn’t work out,” Lexi said, covering for him. “Maybe things will be better for Meeghan. She’s young; they have plenty of time to try.” The sadness in her voice nearly brought him to his knees.
    How could she sound so encouraging about him having a baby with another woman? He sighed, knowing the answer.
    She was a wonderful person.
    She would do anything for anyone.
    Ian left the house silently. He was undeserving to sit at a table with her.
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    Ian had left without a word, and Lexi couldn’t help but feel guilty about his departure.
    â€œDid he tell you he needed to go?” Elise Montgomery asked her husband as he sat down at the table.
    â€œI don’t know. I must have dozed off. He might have said something.”
    â€œWell, I’m sure it must have been some kind of emergency.”
    Yes. The thought of sitting at a table with his ex-wife probably had his throat closing. She shook it off and sat up a little straighter. It was his loss. Dinner is amazing, and he’s not going to get any. Ha.
    She wished she would have been able to get some pleasure out of knowing she’d scared him off, but she couldn’t.
    â€œMaybe he needed to pack. Aren’t you two going to the cabin this weekend?” Tom Montgomery asked, finally getting into the earlier conversation.
    â€œYes. I’m heading up tomorrow when I get out of work.”
    â€œMaybe we should give you an extra key in case he doesn’t show.” Tom got up and went to the den. He came back and handed her a key. “Do you remember how to get there?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œLast time I was up there, I got cell service. So if he doesn’t show and you need anything, give me a call.”
    â€œSure. Thanks.”
    After the amazing dinner, they had a mouthwatering dessert, and then she went home to her big empty house with way too many leftovers. Especially considering she would be going away for the weekend.
    A weekend with Ian, who couldn’t even eat dinner with her.
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    Thursday morning she went to work, trying to forget about her weekend plans. She focused intently on the futures of the student body whose last names started with A through L. When Roslyn came in her office at the end of the day, Lexi told her what had happened at dinner the night before.
    â€œI’m not an expert in these things, but I think that means he likes you,” Roz said.
    â€œSince when does running away and not speaking to a girl mean a guy likes her?” Lexi laughed.
    â€œUm, since about fifth grade.”
    â€œHe doesn’t like me. He divorced me.”
    â€œHe hugged you.”
    â€œI was crying, Roz. If a guy