I sigh and bite my top lip to halt the quivering.
I lead her into a room off the kitchen. It’s a small sitting room with a large television and the world’s comfiest sofa.
Tissues and chocolate wrappers litter the coffee table and floor.
“That good, huh?” Kat says, taking in the scene.
Moving up behind me, she squeezes my shoulder.
“I had a marathon movie fest. All the saddest, most depressing love stories I could muster,” I admit. “I’ve cried a lot and eaten my weight in chocolate and ice cream.”
“You should have called me to join you,” she says, spinning me around, her hands on my upper arms, squeezing. “I would have come.”
“I know,” I say, giving her a watery smile. “However, it was something I needed to do out of sight.”
Kat, out of everyone I know, understands that concept. As successful businesswomen who’ve fought to be at the top of our game, we do not want to show weakness. At least not in public. Even sometimes to our friends and family.
“Fair enough. But I’m here now.”
She grabs the bin from the corner near the door and begins scraping all the rubbish into it.
We work in silence, removing all evidence of my mini meltdown.
After I flew home, I barricaded myself in the house for a few days, telling Mum I needed some space. As she was already due to visit my grandparents, I told her she needed to go. She reluctantly agreed, but I know Kat is here because Mum called her. Mum will have given me time, but not enough to wallow completely before she called in the cavalry.
I smile. As a mum, she’s always known what I need.
“Now you’ve eaten all that chocolate and ice cream and cried yourself a river. How are you feeling?”
“Like I need a workout.”
Kat grins at me.
“Good thing I packed my running gear. Let’s go. The weather is perfect.”
I look outside. The sky is overcast, but it’s not cold.
“Let’s do this.”
Kat heads to her usual bedroom to get changed before we head out.
We run the first couple of miles in silence.
“Is it completely over? You and Kris,” Kat asks.
I nod.
The pressure in my chest has eased over the past couple of days, along with the nausea I felt at the thought of all I’ve lost.
“How are you? I mean, really?”
I turn my head to look at my bestie.
“Surprisingly. I feel okay,” I say. “Yes, I’ve grieved because it’s over. But if I’m honest, it’s hard to explain. You know me, Kat. My life to date has been all about work. This was supposed to be a new chapter. I planned to change. For Kris and I to get married, start a family. Now?—”
I pause, not knowing how to put my feelings into words.
“What about Kris?”
