I could probably have driven the twelve minutes to my place, but there was no reason to make her worry that she had sent someone out into dangerous weather.

“You can use the guest room,” she said.

“Just tonight.

We can talk more in the morning.”

I wanted to thank her with something bigger than words, but that would have made a difficult situation even more awkward.

“I appreciate it,” I said.

“And I won’t mistake your kindness for an invitation to move back in.”

A flicker of amusement crossed her face.